During the 1964 season a change was made in the identifying player numerals as the thicker plain block style three-inch numerals were replaced on most of the helmets by a thinner block font that had been utilized in ‘63. These same style numerals would remain in use until 1983 when a new decal supplier made a slight modification to the numerals, and that has remained the Alabama standard to the present day. Throughout the season however, the helmets continued to reflect a “mix” of three-inch font style numerals. Sufficiently chastised for his off- the-field mistake of ’63, Namath came storming back to take Alabama to the National Championship as an All American. With a knee injury suffered on October 10 against North Carolina State, Namath was limited in his ability to take the field at full speed and thus shared time with Steve Sloan who again excelled as he did as “the replacement” at the end of the ’63 season.  Sloan impressed voters enough to be named to the All SEC team as a second team defensive back to ensure that he received some recognition for his fine quarterbacking behind Namath. "The Beaver Falls Bomber" however, remained the emotional leader of the squad. Paul Crane proved to be a worthy successor to Jordan at linebacker and center while full time center Gaylon McCullough was named All Conference. Receivers Tommy Tolleson, another All Conference selection and Ray Perkins gleefully caught passes from both quarterbacks. Halfback and kicker David Ray, defensive tackle Dan Kearley, a former Talladega High School great and teammate of Tolleson on their terrific 1960 team that saw eleven of a total of twenty-three players receive college football scholarships, and guard Wayne “Foots” Freeman were all named as All Americans. Steve Bowman was an All SEC rusher and tall halfback Ray Ogden became a good tight end, stopping at four NFL cities in his seven pro seasons. Mickey Andrews, a two-year letterman back and receiver, added baseball skill to his resume and earned the Hugo Friedman Award as the school’s best all-around athlete. He gained greater fame as Bobby Bowden’s long-time defensive coordinator at Florida State. The Orange Bowl ended in a 21-17 loss to Texas as Namath was stopped inches from the goal line on a fourth down attempt that many still insist was successful. Despite the loss, nothing could diminish the otherwise undefeated accomplishment of this team as the 1964 National Champion. The day after the game, Namath sat at the Harbour Inn hotel in Miami Beach and signed a contract worth $400,000.00 with the New York Jets and changed the face of professional football forever.