NEW YORK–There were numerous winners at the Sports Emmy Awards Tuesday night in New York, but it is hard to imagine anyone being happier than Joe Namath.
Broadway Joe was positively beaming after the HBO film on his life, Namath, won for outstanding sports documentary. He crowded into the team picture with producers Keith Cossrow and Joseph M. Lavine and the others, looking as proud as you’ll ever see him.
“It’s not about me,” Namath said several times during our interview. “It’s about them. They spent the hours to do this.”
Namath, though, was wrong. It’s always about him.
The Sports Emmy served as a validation for electing to finally agree to participate in a project he didn’t want to do. Even after he signed on with HBO, he still wasn’t fully on board at first.
“I was so negative,” Namath said. “I didn’t want to do this. I’m not the kind of guy I am to sit down and do these kind of things.”
Namath said he previously had rejected numerous offers to do a documentary on his life. Finally, his family insisted that he do this one with HBO and NFL Films.
“They said you’ve got to do this,” Namath said. “They said, ‘How great would it be to have (documentary on his life)?’ I said, ‘OK, I’m going to trust these people. It’s their business, their art.'”
The interview sessions weren’t always easy. Namath has gone through many turbulent times and definitely has made more than his share of mistakes.
“I was wrong about some things in life,” Namath said. “Ignorant. Naïve. I wrestled with myself how to tell things. ‘You’ve got to be honest.’ I’m a Gemini. My friends tell me I have to quit using that as an excuse. It was a wrestling match. (The producers) were sensitive, but persistent.”
The end result was a fascinating portrait of a complicated man who has led one of the most interesting lives of his or any generation. Namath said he didn’t even see the film until the screening.
“Not one second,” Namath said. “I saw my mother up there. I mean, I didn’t know what was coming next.”
Namath loved the finished product and was thrilled for everyone associated with the film Tuesday.
“It’s a special night,” said Broadway Joe, who has had more than a few of them.
How can I watch this documentary? I can not find it in stores, and I cant figure out how to watch it online. Can someone please help?
Love the Joe Namath documentary.
Joe: When I was a little kid on the east coast before my family moved to Colorado, you were larger than life. You once bought me a hot dog after a game. Several years later, I met you in a hotel lobby the day before a Broncos-Patriots game and you were such a gentleman to myself and Denver columnist Dick Connor. And you were still larger than life that night. There are very few people, let alone athletes, in this world that can be recognized by one name: Pele, Ali, Michael, Bird, …Joe is also on that list. It’s you and it always will be you.
God bless and thanks for being yourself all these years.
The documentary was fantastic and Joe Was as captivating as ever. It brought back so many memories and it made me cry. There’s never been anyone else like Namath. He was who he was and unapologetic about it. He did good things, but he never tried to be a boy scout like most of the athletes today, who are boring.
They missed, though, the Namath who was part of the civil rights movement, simply by having so many African-Americans he was tight with on the team. He never said stupid things about who people were, never. He will always be my hero.
If there was any time I’d like to go back to, it was when Namath was at the height of his power; the undisputed king of NY, I was ten and watching Namath run the offense was the best thing I could think to do.
The best “Sports Documentary” I’ve ever seen. But no other football star of that era would draw as much phenomenal interest as Joe Namath. Broadway Joe is the “Tops”. Watched it like 3 times. And I would watch it again. I’m not even a football fan.
Loved it. Watched it over and over. Story of a man who made many mistakes, did many things exceptional, but will never wake up wondering about taking a chance. That is what life is about. Taking a chance, giving it your best, learning from your mistakes and moving forward. Great work HBO and Nfl Networks.
As a former University of Alabama teammate of Joe’s, I was honored to have been asked to be a part of the documentary and have the opportunity to tell the world about one of the greatest athletes I’ve ever seen. Joe was the consummate team player. He was more about “team” than personal glory. That’s what made him a winner.
He quickly earned the respect of his teammates when he arrived on the campus of the University of Alabama in the early 1960s.
As I said on the documentary, it is a shame that the world never had the opportunity to see a healthy Joe Namath. Before his series of knee injuries, he was a phenonon. Hobbled by injuries that would have sidelined most athletes, Joe went on to accomplish what most quaterbacks dream of–being named the most valuable player on the winning team of the Super Bowl.
On the personal side–before he was married–Joe was the consummate playboy. After he was married, he was the consummate husband and father.
He deserves all the accolades that can be bestowed upon him.
Congratulations, my friend. The Emmy is yet another jewel in a well-deserved crown.
Gaylon
E. Gaylon McCollough, MD FACS,
Gulf Shores, Alabama
I was honored to have been a part of the HBO documentary featuring Joe’s life. I am former University of Alabama teammate and was happy to share my experiences with what I called “the greatest athlete I’ve ever seen” (before he sustained a knee injury.) Though Joe went on to accomplish great things–as I said-in the documentary–it is a shame that the world never had a chance to see him at his best.
Joe Namath was the consummate teammate. Before he was married, he was the consummate playboy. After he was married, he was the consummate husband and father.Thanks HBO for allowing me to share memories about “a winner.”
The recognition Joe received is well-deserved.
E. Gaylon McCollough, MD FACS
Gulf Shores, Alabama
I was very happy for Joe when the Emmy was announced as was our mutual friend Linwood and both Linwood and I were happy to participate in anyway to make it a success. As old friends ( and we’ll remain so forever) sharing much while growing up, its nice to share with Joe this latest accolade. Believe me he deserves it.