Joe Namath 1977 ‘Final Touchdown Pass’ Game Worn Los Angeles Rams Jersey

Though best remembered for his tenure with the Jets, legendary quarterback Joe Namath signed with the Los Angeles Rams at the tail-end of his career in 1977. His tenure was ultimately short-lived: Namath started only four games as a Ram in what turned out to be the curtain call to an epic professional football career in the AFL and NFL. 

During his 13-year professional career, Namath, popularly referred to as ‘Broadway Joe’, led the league in passing yards three times (1966, 1967, and 1972) and passing touchdowns once (1972). His long list of individual accomplishments includes the AFL Rookie of the Year award (1965), two AP AFL MVP awards (1968 and 1969), First Team All-Pro (1968), and NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1974). Namath was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Sotheby’s is proud to present the jersey worn by Joe Namath as he threw his final career touchdown pass. Namath threw for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 20-0 Rams victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on September 25, 1977. Having only started four games with the Rams, game worn artifacts from this stage of Namath’s career are exceedingly rare. 

The jersey has been photomatched by The MeiGray Group to September 25, 1977 and is accompanied by a MeiGray letter. Resolution Photomatching conclusively matched the jersey to the same date. A photomatch letter and graphics from Resolution are also included. 

Going Deeper

In 1969, the AFL champion New York Jets prepared to play the NFL champion Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. The indomitable Colts, who finished the regular season with a 13-1 record, opened as 18-point favorites over the 11-3 Jets. But Broadway Joe had other ideas. 

In the week leading up to the game, Namath famously declared: “The Jets will win on Sunday. I guarantee it.”

Then on Sunday January 12, 1969, ‘Broadway Joe’ accomplished something no other player has done, before or since: lead the New York Jets to a Super Bowl victory. Namath completed 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards in the Jets 16-7 victory. For his heroic efforts, the fearless quarterback was named Super Bowl MVP. To this day, the Jets victory over the Colts in Super Bowl III is still widely considered one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports. 

The victory propelled Namath to superstar status and turned him into a mainstream celebrity. Outside of football, he appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs and starred in several movies. But on the field, Namath was all business. To this day, he remains one of the most popular and iconic figures in the NFL community.