Turns Out, Joe Namath Is Kind Of A Jerk

By Eric Marmon

Joe Namath is a legendary NFL figure, especially in New York, due to his guarantee that the underdog New York Jets would defeat the highly-favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. The Jets, of coure, haven’t won a Super Bowl since, which puts Namath’s face in the Lincoln-spot on the franchises’ Mount Rushmore.

And while his place in Jets history is forever cemented for what he did on the football field, that hasn’t prevented him from being a complete jerk off of it.

On numerous occasions this football season, the SBIII MVP has gone after his former team, from top to bottom. Por ejemplo:

-) At the end of September, Namath said that head coach Rex Ryan has made his team too cocky…. a classic kettle-and-pot scenario, as Broadway Joe’s most famous moment was a result of ultimate cockiness.

-) A week later, Namath went after GM Mike Tannenbaum’s drafting (coughcough Gholston coughcough), and Santonio Holmes for complaining about the O-Line to the media

-) In the middle of October, he said the Jets players “aren’t as smart as they think they are,” and said Ryan wasn’t hard enough on them.

-) Oh, and he picked the Patriots to win the AFC East.

All of which, by the way, appear to be fair criticisms. One has to remember, if it wasn’t for a Tony Romo’d 4th quarter, this team would have been 1-4. At just one game over .500, Gang Green is currently on the outside of the AFC playoff picture. All criticisms and complaints about the team, the players, the front office, and the coaching staff are fair game, whether correct or not.

But making a fat joke? That feels a little indulgent.

And that’s exactly what Namath did earlier this week, at the expense of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty out-patient Rex Ryan. From ESPN-NY:

“Ryan admitted to wearing a Namath jersey during a trip to the mall over the bye week. 

Namath, on his regular spot with ESPN New York 1050′s “The Michael Kay Show,” said, “I’m just stunned that the jersey with No. 12 come in that size.”"

Ryan, to his credit, has taken every one of Namaths comments like Mahatma Gandhi, saying “I’m still a huge Joe Namath fan.” Broadway Joe would probably only agree with the “huge” part.

Of course, it’s not the first time Namath has said something stupid. Lest we forget, the inspiration for this websites name.

If there’s anyone who should be made fun of… over and over and over again… it’s Namath. Heck, most of this country has a weight problem. But far fewer have gone on national television WASTED and tried to PDA with a sideline reporter who, due to a mullet-esque hair cut, can’t be graded higher than a 6 regardless of blood alcohol content.

So what’s the deal, Namath?? Acting like an immature child, we can only assume your motives are that of an immature child. Are you not getting enough attention?? Are you jealous Ryan may have proven himself more arrogant than even you?? Or are you afraid that after two AFC Conference Championship appearances, Ryan will one day get over the hump, rid the monkey off his back, bring home that Lombardi Trophy he keeps talking about and replace you as the Hero of Heroes in New York Jets history??

Criticizing the team?? Fine. Going after a guys weight?? Just plain rude, not to mention mean spirited, and classless. Joe Namath put a new meaning into the term “Sloppy Joe.” Who is he to make fun of anyone?

Like Al Michaels said, he’s just “a happy guy.” A jerky, mean, happy guy.

(And by the way, fully joking about Suzy Kolber only being a 6. It’s purely out of jealousy ‘cuz she never responds to my phone calls. Oddly enough, I can’t get Jenn Sterger to leave me alone.)

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Tags: Joe Namath, Mike Tannenbaum, new york jets, rex ryan, Santonio Holmes