Joe Namath Hall of Fame credentials have long been debated. In fact, Midwest Sports Fans called Namath the most overrated Hall of Famer of all-time. They simply bring up stats as a mere overall profile of the player. I am well-aware of the stats and his overall record as a starting quarterback. But in my opinion, he is a Hall of Famer for one simple reason…”The Guarantee.”

For better or worse, the Hall of Fame debate is not always about a player’s stats. Namath is the perfect example of that. When he burst onto the scene he was a media sensation that every beat-writer loved. He brought a swagger to the NFL that was never seen before and never has really been seen since.

Even if you really wanted to look at stats, they do not tell the whole story. The game has evolved over the last 30 years into a passing league. Namath was the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season (14 games). Last year alone, we saw ten guys throw for 4,000 yards and 17 throw for 3,500.

The Jets, at the time, were the first team to use 3 and 4 wide receiver sets, which have since become quite common. You want high praise from great football minds…Namath had that too. Don Shula, who lost to Namath in Super Bowl III, called him one of the smartest quarterbacks of all-time. Bill Walsh called him the best passer the game ever saw. In many ways, Namath can actually be looked at as the godfather of the modern NFL.

And then, of course, there is “The Guarantee”. Everyone knows the story of the Jets being 18 1/2 point underdogs to the Colts entering Super Bowl III. The Jets, and the entire AFL for that matter, were considered JV. The first two Super Bowl’s were both blowouts in favor of the NFL’s Packers. Many experts believe if the Jets did not win that game the NFL never becomes what it is today. But the Jets leader had no fear. He famously stated “We’re gonna win the game…I guarantee it.” Then he backed it up.

Today, everyone credits the Jets defense (5 turnovers) and Matt Snell, who ran for 121 yards, for the Jets Super Bowl victory. What most people do not realize the Jets went 3 or 4 wide all game, which set up the running game. The Colts never saw in the NFL what they saw that day. Namath was named MVP in the game because he controlled the game, even when the Jets were running the ball.

Many will debate numbers, which is a fair and realistic argument. Namath was iconic, he was bold, and he was one of the men responsible for creating the modern-day NFL. It is easy to look back and say he is not a Hall of Famer simply based on stats. But Namath was a game changer and brought a swagger to the most important position in the game. For those reasons, Joe Namath deserves his bust in Canton.