Joe Namath Retired (briefly) Because NFL Wanted Him to Sell His Stake in a Bar

America's litigious nature has taken over the league. We can't go a day without hearing about someone getting fined or suspended for something. Players hate it, but with the millions most of them make they pay it (or serve it) and move on.

Back in the day the money wasn't nearly as good though even for superstars like former New York Jets great "Broadway" Joe Namath. So when the league tried to drop the hammer on him he opted to retire instead.

@FatouSadio

It was back in 1969 when it happened. Broadway Joe was the proud of owner of one of the most happening spots in New York, Bachelors III. Business was booming, it was the place to be seen, and the league wanted him to sell his stake.

In a nut shell he said no and opted to retire rather than let the league run his life away from the game.

What may be the most surprising thing about this nowadays is that the dirty deed occurred just a few months after he led the Jets to Super Bowl victory over the Baltimore Colts. He was the man. His fame was at a high--and he walked away because the league was too overbearing.

Than commissioner Pete Rozelle  had some logic to his argument with Namath. There was a close in his contract that allowed the league to suspend him if he associated with any nefarious people--like the mobsters hanging out at his bar.

Can you imagine what would happen around the league if the league still had similar clauses in the contracts of a lot of guys? Hmm...maybe the NFL should quit laying ridiculous fines on people and include and this clause back in instead...

Anyway...Namath eventually realized football was more important than a bar and bent to the will of the league.

So I guess nothing has changed.

[GangGreenNation]

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