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Top 30 duos in NFL history

By Jarrett Bailey

BALTIMORE - 1960's: (L to R) Quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 and wide receiver Raymond Berry #82 of the Baltimore Colts on the sidelines during a game circa 1960's at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE - 1960's: (L to R) Quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 and wide receiver Raymond Berry #82 of the Baltimore Colts on the sidelines during a game circa 1960's at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 7, 1965: Wide receiver Don Maynard #13 of the New York Jets catches a touchdown pass in front of defensive back Fred Williamson #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of a game on November 7, 1965 at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. JV00439 (Photo by: John Vawter Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 7, 1965: Wide receiver Don Maynard #13 of the New York Jets catches a touchdown pass in front of defensive back Fred Williamson #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of a game on November 7, 1965 at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. JV00439 (Photo by: John Vawter Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

25. Joe Namath and Don Maynard

Namath and Maynard were one of the best duos of the 1960s. From 1965-72, they made the Jets one of the best teams in the AFL, and eventually NFL.

Although the Jets struggled in 1965, Namath was a Pro Bowler that season. He threw for over 2,200 yards and 18 touchdowns. Maynard caught 68 passes for over 1,200 yards and a league-high 14 touchdowns. 1967 was a great year for both Namath and Maynard. Namath threw for over 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. Maynard caught 71 passes and led the league with 1,434 yards and caught 10 touchdowns.

In 1968, the Jets made it to the Super Bowl. Maynard led the league in yards per reception, averaging 22.8 yards per catch. Namath was a First-Team All-Pro that season, and together they pulled off one of the greatest upsets in NFL history, defeating the Baltimore Colts 16-7.

Without Namath’s guarantee, without the Jets winning Super Bowl III, there may not have been an NFL merger, at least not when it happened in 1970. Both Maynard and Namath are in the Hall of Fame, and both deserve credit for their contributions to what ended up becoming the most important act in the history of football — the AFL-NFL merger.

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