Joe Namath had yet to play a game for the New York Jets when the now iconic Sports Illustrated cover hit newsstands, but one already knew that ‘Broadway Joe’ was set to have a very special career.
It was 59 years ago on July 19, 1965 that the ‘Broadway Joe’ cover of Sports Illustrated featuring the Jets rookie quarterback became available.
Namath was the first overall pick in the 1965 AFL draft (and taken No. 12 overall in the NFL draft by the St. Louis Cardinals). His arrival in New York, especially after a storied career at Alabama, signaled an exciting and revolutionary time for the franchise.
His glitz and glamour were a perfect fit for a Jets organization that at that time needed star power.
July 19, 1965
“FOOTBALL GOES SHOW BIZ”
The iconic “Times Square” Joe Namath cover of Sports Illustrated
The #Jets rookie’s first SI cover pic.twitter.com/1BTpnQvIlc
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) July 19, 2024
Namath would have a stellar career, leading the Jets to a win in Super Bowl III. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. He certainly lived up to the cover story in Sports Illustrated.
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In the eyes of many Jets fans, he remains the best and most dominant player in franchise history. And the Joe Namath Foundation remains an integral part of his legacy off the field.