Aaron Rodgers to the Jets: New York gets the next Joe Namath
Now that Aaron Rodgers has been traded to New York, the Jets finally have their heir apparent to Joe Namath. It took almost 50 years and 37 starting quarterbacks, but what's the rush?
Statistically speaking, the two aren’t really comparable, Rodgers has much better numbers. But in other ways, Namath and Rodgers have a lot in common.
Draft drama
After leading Alabama to a national title in 1964, the St. Louis Cardinals took Namath with the No. 12 pick in the 1965 NFL Draft. But to the surprise of many, Namath chose to sign with the fledgling AFL instead after the New York Jets drafted him first overall.
The 2005 draft was also full of surprises, most notably Aaron Rodgers lasting until the 24th pick. ESPN couldn’t resist the image of a dejected Rodgers waiting in an empty green room as he quickly became the story of the draft. Rodgers had the last laugh, but he wasn’t smiling that day.
Ladies men
Namath became very comfortable under the bright lights of New York City. The name ‘Broadway Joe’ had less to do with his on-field performance than with his off-field reputation. During his time with the Jets, Namath was linked to famous names like Raquel Welch, Mamie Van Doren, Kim Basinger and even Janis Joplin.
Of course, Rodgers is no stranger to the ‘A-list’ either. Over the years, he’s dated actresses like Olivia Munn and Shailene Woodley, models like Kelly Rohrbach and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick.
Promises. promises
Rodgers and Namath each have one Super Bowl Championship. Rodgers got his in 2011, but Namath called his shot in 1969.
Prior to meeting the heavily-favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, Namath guaranteed a victory by saying, “I've got news for you. We're gonna win the game. I guarantee it.”
The Jets were 18-point underdogs that day and became the first AFL team to beat an NFL team, winning the game 16-7.
Rodgers likes to make predictions as well. After a 4-6 start in 2016, Rodgers told reporters, "I feel like we can run the table, I really do.” He almost pulled it off, too. The Packers won eight straight games, two in the playoffs, before losing to Atlanta in the NFC Championship.
Medicine men
Over the years, Namath has promoted a variety of products from shaving cream to panty hose and topical pain relieving ointments. These days he sells supplemental Medicare plans to seniors.
Rodgers prefers more holistic plans for his well-being that include psychedelics, colonics and long weekends locked in dark rooms. Now that he’s locked up for the 2023 season, Jets fans hope he can cure their championship drought.
More must-reads: