June 6 in Jet History: Joe Namath Announces Retirement
Jun 6, 2016 6:43:43 GMT -5
Bing© in Buffalo Chairman likes this
Post by Lithfan on Jun 6, 2016 6:43:43 GMT -5
June 6, 1969
Less than 6 months after leading the Jets to what may have been the most improbable win in the history of the NFL, in Super Bowl III, QB Joe Namath announced his retirement from the NFL, on this date, June 6 in 1969.
Earlier in the offseason, Namath, a part owner of the nightclub Bachelors III in NY, was given an ultimatum by commissioner Pete Rozelle to either sell his interest in the club or face a suspension from the league. Rozelle had been concerned that the club was under FBI investigation and had become a hangout for "certain undesirables."
Joe summoned about 200 members of the press to the club and announced his retirement.
"I can't accept this," Namath said. "I am innocent, but because I am a football player, I am being forced to do something against my wishes. I am not or ever was associated with gamblers but that doesn't seem to make any difference."
"I talked this over with my friends and gave this more thought than anything else in my life. And I feel like retiring is the only right thing to do."
"Football is the thing I love to do most," Namath continued, "and retiring is the last thing I want to do."
As we all know, Joe would ultimately give in to the commissioner's demands and agree to sell his interest and rejoined the team prior to the start of the 1969 season.
Source: The Bryan Times
Less than 6 months after leading the Jets to what may have been the most improbable win in the history of the NFL, in Super Bowl III, QB Joe Namath announced his retirement from the NFL, on this date, June 6 in 1969.
Earlier in the offseason, Namath, a part owner of the nightclub Bachelors III in NY, was given an ultimatum by commissioner Pete Rozelle to either sell his interest in the club or face a suspension from the league. Rozelle had been concerned that the club was under FBI investigation and had become a hangout for "certain undesirables."
Joe summoned about 200 members of the press to the club and announced his retirement.
"I can't accept this," Namath said. "I am innocent, but because I am a football player, I am being forced to do something against my wishes. I am not or ever was associated with gamblers but that doesn't seem to make any difference."
"I talked this over with my friends and gave this more thought than anything else in my life. And I feel like retiring is the only right thing to do."
"Football is the thing I love to do most," Namath continued, "and retiring is the last thing I want to do."
As we all know, Joe would ultimately give in to the commissioner's demands and agree to sell his interest and rejoined the team prior to the start of the 1969 season.
Source: The Bryan Times
