Fansided

30 best nicknames in NFL history

By Jarrett Bailey

PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 28: Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against the Washington Redskins on November 28, 2004 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Redskins 16-7.(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 28: Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against the Washington Redskins on November 28, 2004 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Redskins 16-7.(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Quarterback Joe Namath #12 of the New York Jets warms on the sidelines prior to a game on September 21, 1970 against the Cleveland Browns at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Herman Seid Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Quarterback Joe Namath #12 of the New York Jets warms on the sidelines prior to a game on September 21, 1970 against the Cleveland Browns at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Herman Seid Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

11. “Broadway” Joe Namath

Finding a comparison for Joe Namath is difficult. He truly was one of a kind when it came to his level of celebrity off the field, and also with the way he carried himself. Namath was a big deal, and he knew it. He leaned into being the star quarterback for a New York team- he was Paul McCartney in cleats.

His stardom off the field to the side, Namath could play. His numbers wouldn’t blow anyone out of the water today, but for the 1960s and ‘70s, his numbers were elite for the time. In 1966, Namath led the AFL in passing with 3,379 yards. In 1967, he threw for over 4,000 yards, which no one was doing at that time.

While Namath was one of the better quarterbacks of his generation, he turned the ball over a lot. He led the NFL in interceptions on four separate occasions, and his totals in those seasons would make Brett Favre blush. Regardless of that, Namath was one of the best quarterbacks of his time. He helped the Jets beat the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

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