Joe Namath

After my first knee operation, in January of '65 before I went to the Jets, Dr. James Nicholas told me everything went well and that I could probably play four years in the NFL. The surgery was trailblazing to a certain extent.

Most of my recognition comes from us winning that championship. The words may not come out - 'Super Bowl III' - because a lot of the folks at the grocery store, gas station or mall weren't even born when we won the Super Bowl. But they're aware of it. It has had a tremendous impact on my life since then.

The name of the game is 'kill the quarterback.' Every football team tries to knock the guy out of the game that's handling the ball.

I think I could have become an outstanding professional baseball player, but I don't think I could have reached the heights that I have in football - being one of the very top players in the game, being a world champion.

I have no idea what my batting average was in high school, but I know it wasn't below .450, and that's pretty good hitting where I come from.

Pressure just makes you go a little more. I kind of like pressure.

None of the body was designed to play football. Excuse me, you know, football, we're just not designed for.

I am a football fan, yeah.

I can't compare family to athletics.

I have to convince myself I know what I'm doing.

I've always said I'm going to get married only once.

I've tested life and I've learned what works for me.

There are some things you only learn through experience.

There's an old saying amongst players in football talking about your general manger and coaches, they speak with a forked tongue.

It feels bad to feel like you're not wanted.

I think there's always going to be a problem dealing with firearms, with knives. It's the animal we are that cause the problems.

Something's been guiding me around throughout my life.

My family's the most important thing in my life.

I like music and I like ladies. I like to see them dance.

I'm always gonna be Joe Namath, and I'm not running from that.