Super Bowl 50: 10 biggest underdogs of all-time
By Randy Gurzi
3. New York Jets: Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III was actually the first championship game to be called by the name “Super Bowl” and it lived up to it’s name. As previously mentioned, this was the first time the perceived lesser league, the AFL was able to have a representative defeat the higher touted NFL.
The victory was a shock to many people, but not to Jets quarterback Joe Namath who just days before the big game boldly guaranteed that his major underdog Jets would defeat the Baltimore Colts when they faced off in the Miami Orange Bowl on January 12, 1969.
Broadway Joe and his team were in control throughout the contest and went up 16-0 in the game that finished with a score of 16-7. Namath was named the Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 206 yards, but no scores. He also didn’t even attempt a pass in the fourth quarter as the Jets simply ran the clock out.
With three interceptions in the game, the defense for the Jets were the biggest reason they got the victory, but Namath was surely the emotional leader who had enough confidence for everyone on the team combined.
Next: Super Bowl XXXVI