May 31, 1943

Football great Joe Namath was born in Pennsylvania. Namath played quarterback at the University of Alabama under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and led the Crimson Tide to a 29-4 record, three bowl appearances and a national championship. Signed by the New York Jets in 1965, Namath became “Broadway Joe,” a quarterback known for his accolades and his personal style, which included long hair, a “Fu Manchu” mustache and a mink coat. In 1969, Namath led the Jets to victory in the third Super Bowl, one of the greatest upsets in sports history. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama.

An injury had Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Joe Namath sidelined to start the 1965 Orange Bowl against the University of Texas, but he still was voted most valuable player. Alabama lost to Texas but the Crimson Tide was crowned national champion. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, Courtesy of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame)

Joe Namath in Jet Stream, a magazine for season ticket holders, 1965. (Physical copy at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Museum archives, Canton, Ohio, Super Bowl III file, New York Jets, Wikipedia)