Posted on 04/30/2015 7:04:26 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Joe Namath, one of the most charismatic players in NFL history and one of the game's greatest quarterbacks, said today that if he'd known then what he knows now about concussions, he would never have played football.
Namath, who has recently undergone treatment for brain injuries, was asked in an interview with Tiffany Kenney of ABC's West Palm Beach, Florida, affiliate WPBF-TV whether would still play the game, given all he has learned about the effects of concussions.
"No," he said. "I hate to say that because if I had a child who wanted to play I'd let them play ... but I'd wait 'til he developed a little more.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
ping
Uh, no.
He’s way too old to play. He’d get wrecked.
I remember in his book, Bear Bryant described Namath as the best athlete he ever coached which surprised me. I knew he was a great QB but didn’t know about his athleticism.
He said John David Crow at Texas A&M was the best player.
They'll have to go to flag football.
Where does he rank with Unitas and Starr?
In the old days the beat the hell out of the QBs.
I remember a photo of Y.A. Tittle kneeling after a game, looking really tired and covered with blood and sweat.
Pfffft. And to think I got him to sign my glove on the sidelines when I was in the Million Dollar Band.
Sounds like Namath wants in on the gravy train.
He has a great point, you know. Without your brain you're nothing.
1. Joe Montana (4 Superbowls, 8 probowls, 2 MVPs, he was simply a winner) 2. Peyton Manning (4 MVPs, hands down the most productive QB in NFL history) 3. John Elway (5 SB appearances, winning 2, 9 pro bowls despite mediocre talent around him) 4. Johnny Unitas (10 probowls, 4 MVPs, dominated defenses when other QBs could not) 5. Tom Brady (6 pro bowls, 2 MVPs, 3 SB wins, made playing QB look easy) 6. Dan Marino (greatest QB to never win a championship, 9 pro bowls, held every passing record) 7. Steve Young (96.8 rating and 43 touchdowns (NFL records), 2 MVPs, 7 probowls) 8. Roger Staubach (4 SB appearances, 2 of those wins. One of the most clutch QBs of all time) 9. Otto Graham (7 league titles and a .810 winning %, the greatest of all time) 10. Brett Favre (most durable QB of all time, 11 probowls, 3 MVPS, SB ring, holds every QB record) 11. Frank Tarkenton (9 pro bowls, 2 SB appearances, held nearly every passing & rushing record when he retired) 12. Terry Bradshaw (had a dream team around him that he won 4 SBs with, 3 pro bowls) 13. Warren Moon (nearly 50,000 yards passing, 9 pro bowls, scored at will) 14.Sonny Jurgensen (most productive QB of his era, put up gaudy #s when QBs normally sturggled) 15. Bart Starr (5 championships (2 SB), 4 pro bowls and an MVP) 16. Dan Fouts (6 pro bowls, 2 MVPs, extremely productive) 17. Sammy Baugh (extremely versatile, 7 time first team all-pro, 2 championships) 18.Troy Aikman (6 pro bowls and 3 superbowl victories) 19. Donovan McNabb (5 NFC championship appearances, 5 pro bowls, and one of the greatest scramblers of all time) 20. Kurt Warner (2 MVPs, superbowl win, 4 probowls, produced huge stats in big games)
If you consider that Starr was the leader of the team and he was probably the best play caller (back when the QB called the plays) and was MVP of the first two Super Bowls. I think I had rather have Starr. He also had the best touch on the ball.
As far as arm strength it would be Bret Favre and Johnny Unitas. Maybe Terry Bradshaw and Namath.
All around toughness, Francis Asbury Tarkenton. I once saw him but heads with Dick Butkus and then run over him.
Hey, Joe....don’t completely blame football. Tipping the bottle the way you did wasn’t much help.
I think only Cleveland would pick him right now.
Yeah, but you wouldn't know it.
And besides, you could still get elected.
In one of his books, John Madden described Namath as the QB who scared him the most when he was coaching the Raiders.
It doesn't matter if you are a man or woman, it doesn't matter your race, or your sexual preference, and even criminal conduct. If you are the best, in the end, you will get on the field in the regular season.
We recently had our Michael Sam deal, but he didn't make the cut despite his extra attention. The guys on the field are the best at what they do. And that is one of the key reasons why the NFL is so popular. The guys on the field aren't diversity hires. People like watching the best.
He's "Strug-uh-ling."
I can believe it.
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