Broadway Joe

Football Great Talks About His Drinking Problem With Bob Simon

(CBS)  Joe Namath was football's first real superstar, the first quarterback to move from the playing field to popular culture and to dominate both.

They don't come bigger and, as we've heard so often, the bigger they are the harder they fall.

Joe Namath was crushed by linemen so often in his 13-year career that his knees turned to putty and he turned to alcohol. He is 63 now and he has written a book about his life called "Namath." It is about his football career, mainly. But he talked to correspondent Bob Simon about the flip side of his life, which he hasn't talked about much.

---

"I can remember the first injury I got that I turned to the foulest tasting stuff I could imagine or smell — and that was scotch. And I ended up drinking it for five years until I switched to the clear stuff," Namath says.

Asked why he did that, Namath says, "Because the doctor one time said, 'If you're gonna have to drink, drink the clear stuff instead of the dark stuff.' So, for medicinal purposes, I went to the clear stuff. That's right."

Namath says he drank "quickly" after a game but never before. His battle with the bottle continued for much of his adult life, until he found an extreme solution: abstinence.

"How many days?" Simon asks.

"A thousand and three," the football legend replied.

But he has an imaginary drinking buddy, "Slick," trying to lure him back to the bar.

"Slick man. Oh, yeah. Slick is there. Slick's whispering to you," Namath tells Simon.

"He's whispering, 'Just one more won't hurt,' huh?" Simon asks.

"He knows that's not enough you know," Namath replies. "You start getting flashes in your head and then fortunately I know that it's no contest. Lifestyle without is far healthier, more fun, more beneficial."

Whatever the pain, the injuries, the medication, Joe Namath was the man with the golden arm, No. 12, the first quarterback to pass for 4,000 yards in one season. He was also a cultural icon. He stepped out of the stereotype with his fur coat and his lama carpet. He was outrageous. Men wanted to be like Joe Namath and women wanted to be with him.

On the DVD that accompanies the book, Namath says: "It seems almost un-American to me for a bachelor not to go around having a drink with a lady now and then."

Now, Joe's retired and living quietly on the Florida coast, a divorced father of two daughters. When he walks today, he carries with him all the injuries of his 13 year career; the knees he walks on are artificial.

He still enjoys the sporting life, but the sports are different now. They are easy on those knees.

"You could chart your career at least on one level through your injuries, huh?" Simon asks.

"Lookin' back, I had a few of them but if you're gonna play that sport, you know, you usually do," he replies.

These days, quarterbacks have it easy compared to what Namath went through. Back then, there were no rules to protect quarterbacks and they were savaged; tackled even after they threw the ball. Namath didn't just injure his knees, he also disjointed vertebrae in his neck, broke bones in his feet and hands, separated his shoulder, broke his cheekbone, suffered numerous concussions — and that's the short list. Now, as a Monday morning quarterback, Joe says he shouldn't have gone on playing so long.

"I went to the Hall of Fame and I saw guys in wheel chairs and stuff that I used to watch on television. And that was real to me. You know, you start thinking about the accumulative injuries over the years. The body just wasn't designed for it. Knowing that now, yeah I'd of quit. It's easy to say, 'I would've quit now,' " Namath says. "But back then, it was my life."

Ironically, Joe told Simon the injury that really wrecked his football career didn't happen on a football field — it happened waterskiing. He showed us where his hamstring muscles had been severed and remain curled up in a ball.

He said that after the accident the Jets team doctor assured him he could keep on playing football, in spite of torn hamstrings.

"He says, 'Your knee's great.' I said, 'Yeah, but doc…my hamstring.' We said, 'What do we do?' He said, 'Well, you need your hamstring to run. You're a quarterback. You don't have to run anyway,' " Namath recalls.

---

[Editor's Note: For your own safety, we strongly recommend that you do not post personal information, like telephone numbers and e-mail addresses in the public message boards below.]

[moonlady2]

HI JOE,
I enjoyed the CBS interview very much. You came across very personable and at ease talking about who you are now. We met in NYC when you were still with the Jets. Now I'm in Florida too and would love to see you again, gentleman Joe.
Barbara
[e-mail]

[jmhappy]

Hi Joe,
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!! I wrote a very brief message to you on Monday morning following your interview. I wonder how on earth you find time to read all of these, you sure are popular!!!! Just like everyone else I would love to correspond with you:) I don't suppose you ever get to Washington state? One can never have too many friends.I'm closing in on 49 and my nest is getting close to empty.My 16 year old daughter had knee surgery on her right knee back in August and she will be having surgery on her left knee in the very near future, so I've seen just how painful it can be. If you should want to respond I'll leave an e-mail address that I can be reached at:) Have a wonderful holiday season!!
[e-mail]
Joy Always Happy

[rompere]

Hi Joe,

Sorry I missed the interview on 60 minutes. I just read the transcript and it is nice to see that you are settled and just enjoying life. I can't wait to be able to retire so that I can just walk along the beach here in Florida and, if I am lucky enough, sail my boat up and down the coast.

I heard you this morning on Majic 102.7 Radio in S. Florida and look forward to reading the book.

Although I never played football, not really a sport for women, I did develop a knee problem and do I understand, somewhat, about what you suffered. I am living now with the decisiion of what to do as the glocosamine just is not enough anymore.

Good luck with the book and Happy Thanksgiving. Let me know if you are having a book signing in Hollywood, FL or somewhere close by.

A long time fan,

Theresa
[e-mail]

[cherky1]

Hey Joseph,

I sent you the e-mail mentioning I worked for you at Bachelor's Three. How do I get a response, or even know you were able to read this one e-mail out of a thousand? Perhaps Mr. Simon can filter through this and let all of these "interested" ladies" know.

Just wondering, and thanks for your time and effort.

Sharon.

[cherky1]

Ok, I sent the e-mail regarding my working for you. So how do we, any of the many writing to you, know if you have had the chance to read our e-mails? Just helps us not check and search each day. We still love you dearly, response or no.

Sharon Smith-Larson

[lorriekg]

Joe,
Not many celebrities come across as sincere and genuine as you did on "60 Minutes". I remember having a huge crush on you as a little girl (two brothers watched football all the time). You are undoubtedly the sexiest man alive still. My fantasy football dream would be having you teach my little boy how to throw a ball!!
For all your tribulations, you have handled yourself with grace and poise.
LorrieKG
Richmond, VA

[Cheryl Anderson]

I was so thankful to see Joe Nameth on 60 Minutes last Sunday. I've been a fan of his for years. I wish him the very best and wish I could meet him in person.

Cheryl
Boise, Idaho

[napachild]

Hi Joe,
Was so great to see you on 60 Minutes. I'm a 39-year Raiders fan, but still always loved you!! I'm a truck driver (run the west coast with mostly trips from SFO to LAX). I also have been sober since 1993. Was so glad to hear you're sober!! Understand how good it feels. If you're ever around LAX, let me know!! Would love to shake your hand and congratulate you!! Patti Wood, Napa, CA

[lmfsports]

Dear Joe: I was a huge fan of yours as a teenage girl who LOVED football! My heart broke when I saw "the interview" that evening and knew that you were in a bad way. I've been praying for you, and glad to hear that you are doing better. Please take care, Joe...and know that you have a lot of fans out here who will always love you. Thanks for all the wonderful memories of terrific football!! J E T S Jets, Jets, Jets!! Please write!! Linda [e-mail]

[kinkyval]

Hi Joe, I did see your interview on Sunday evening but I am just now finding time to write to you *** Legs. If you look for me on the web with this handle you can view pics of me. I do hope you haven't gotten tired of reading all your comments. I see their are a lot of women who posted theirs more than once. LOL You are still my favorite QB and entertainer of all time. I will be waiting to hear from you. By the way, CBS, you have my permission to give Broadway my digits or e-mail addy if he asks for it. Just your sweet southern gal who could see herself walking,laughing and relaxing with you ***. Val

[kinkyval]

Hi Joe, I did see your interview on Sunday evening but I am just now finding time to write to you *** Legs. If you look for me on the web with this handle you can view pics of me. I do hope you haven't gotten tired of reading all your comments. I see their are a lot of women who posted theirs more than once. LOL You are still my favorite QB and entertainer of all time. I will be waiting to hear from you. By the way, CBS, you have my permission to give Broadway my digits or e-mail addy if he asks for it. Just your sweet southern gal who could see herself walking,laughing and relaxing with you ***. Val

[kinkyval]

Hi Joe, I did see your interview on Sunday evening but I am just now finding time to write to you *** Legs. If you look for me on the web with this handle you can view pics of me. I do hope you haven't gotten tired of reading all your comments. I see their are a lot of women who posted theirs more than once. LOL You are still my favorite QB and entertainer of all time. I will be waiting to hear from you. By the way, CBS, you have my permission to give Broadway my digits or e-mail addy if he asks for it. Just your sweet southern gal who could see herself walking,laughing and relaxing with you ***. Val

[pickmenow1]

Joe.

Loved the "soul baring" interview. I am a "keep it simple" kind of girl. I won't pass up a chance to get a message to you.

However, I am a straight shooter, I am not going to tell you that my mother, sister, child or anyone else told me I should write (I wouldn't do anything I'm told anyway) or ask you to come do a book signing or say that I want to be a pen pal. After looking at a few emails before me I'm convinced that these gals just don't know how to ask for what they want.
So let me get to the point, I would like to have a fabulous date with you. If that goes anything like I vision then we'll have another and another, etc. I know this seems one sided, but I know enough about you to know that we will "click"! I like you as a person! The fame, your name, and materialistic things are not what draws me to you. it's just YOU! All the other things been there, done that, and got a tee shirt.
I look forward to hearing from you, hooking up and having the time of our lives!

Have an awesome day,
CJ

[rockyp3]

dear joe,its carol again here in pa.,i want to know if you could some time in your busy schedule,you could possibly come to the wilkes-barre scranton pa area for a book signing at our new barnes&noble college book store.it would be one of the greatest things to happen here in our area.my daughter works there,so if an arrangement could be made sometime at your convenience,i would like to have the pleasure of your visit here.let me know and i will so to speak of "get the ball rolling" thanks carol sartini [e-mail]

[expensiveone]

Hey #12 Joe Willie... I GUARANTEE...
The missing piece for you... is ME...

Linda-Marie - Audubon, New Jersey

Sixty Minutes has my pertinent information for your reading pleasure. Looking forward to your response A.S.A.P.

[fsoto3]

Hey Joe!

It was wonderful to see your spot. It's good to know you're doing fine. I thank you so much for all the wonderful Jets memories from 65 on. You made me a lifetime Jets fan. My four sons are also avid Jet Fans as well because of what I told them about you!. We all wish you the best always.

Take care and be you can be sure you have 5 huge followers here in Bogota, Colombia.
You're the greatest!"I guarantee it."

Fernando, Diego, Ernesto, Gabriel, Nicolas

[rockyp3]

dear joseph,good show,iwant to read the book! you are still passing-on the good vibes as i read from the woman who are e mailing to you.just don't be fooled by anyone as you probably already know.good luck in your future and hope your knees feel better. my name is carol and i am from pa. also. happy thanksgiving to you and your family,at least you will be warm in fla. its 34 degrees here now and i can,t stand it!!!feel free to contact me if you wish,my e mail is [e-mail]

[ladyinvstr]

hi joe
you were wonderful on 60 mins. we use to date before you got marriesd. i worked as a cocktail waitress at Mr. pips in ft. lauderdale. i was an explayboy bunny from new york...dark hair blue eyes, does that trigger any memories...you look great...hope we can talk again soon
debra

[moorekat]

Hey Joe, it was nice to see you again, it's been awhile. Never,never watch 60 minutes but glad I did. It's all good. You're something special. This gal is in Bakersfield Calif. and that sounds interesting to you N.Y. guys, cause we are. 47 years young, too old for you? (smile) Email me [e-mail]

This is signed Kathy ( FEMALE )

[linnyf]

Hi Joe,

Well, I'm told that we are each (7) phone calls apart...How much fun to be on the other end! Just not sure how to get through the other (6).
Giving it a start here......

Linny, Orlando