There’s no New York Jet more famous than Joseph William Namath, better known as Broadway Joe. When you talk about the New York Jets, Namath and his guarantee are the first things that come to mind.
Namath’s Hall of Fame career is why he is one of just five Jets players to have their number retired. It’s Namath’s No. 12, Don Maynard’s No. 13, Curtis Martin’s No. 28, Joe Klecko’s No. 73 and Dennis Byrd’s No. 90. At least, that’s how it is for now.
Namath, like everyone else in the world, knows his Jets will be in the market for a quarterback this coming offseason. One of those potential quarterbacks just so happens to also wear No. 12.
That someone, of course, is Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is mulling over the decision to return for a 19th season in the NFL and whether he wants to play in Green Bay if he does return next season. If he wants to join another team, the Jets could certainly be in play. If, somehow, Rodgers does ends up in New York, Broadway Joe is willing to give up his No. 12 for the new No. 12.
Namath recently appeared on “Tiki & Tierney” and made the comment that he would allow Rodgers to wear No. 12 for the Jets if he does happen to join the team.
“I hope it can come true but it’s farfetched: I know Mr. [Jets owner Woody] Johnson’s trying to get a quarterback. If there’s a way he can get Rodgers,” Namath told the show. “I’m a big Rodgers fan, and I noticed that he wears number 12 of course. Man, if we get him, is he still going to wearing number 12? Because that number was retired years ago…”
Joe Namath said he'd unretire his number if it meant the Jets brought in this Super Bowl winning QB in 2023.pic.twitter.com/xphiDQDN5p
— TikiAndTierneyWFAN (@TikiAndTierney) January 19, 2023
Namath added he wants Rodgers to wear his number and that “God almighty, yeah, it’d be great to have him in New York.”
Could the Jets actually have a new No. 12 leading the charge, almost 40 years after the number was retired? Broadway Joe would seem to guarantee it.
