Legendary Football Hero
Joe Namath
The Big Game By Margaret Bastick-Luce
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egendary NFL quarterback Joe Namath defines charisma. Not only is he responsible for leading the 1969 New York Jets to an upset victory over the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl, but he has a unique and rare quality of being able to truly engage with the people around him and make them feel seen in his presence. When I knew I’d be talking with Joe, I couldn’t help but smile. Joe Namath is positive. He is gifted. He’s had an amazing career with so many accomplishments, within and outside the
realm of sports. Nicknamed “Broadway Joe,” he was also a well recognized actor in his day. I couldn’t wait to catch his energy even for a few minutes. Joe attributes his success to more than just his talent. “Lady luck played a major role!” he told me with a laugh. It almost seems he was destined to be a superstar with his skill and his allure, but he shared with me that he started out simply wanting to excel and gain the admiration of his family. “Sports is what I could do best and had the most fun with. And
if your big brother said ‘Nice going,’ man, that was something. If your sister said, ‘Hey, that’s good, buddy.’ Wow.” I could hear the smile on his face as he reflected. It was obvious he came from a positive home environment and values it greatly. Joe Namath had a religious upbringing. “God’s always been in my family and in my heart.” He admits he’s had experiences in his life where he’s felt alone. “Even when the bright lights were on, there were times when I didn’t have anyone to talk to, and I got closer May 2021
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