Alabama

 

Joe Namath 1963 Crimson Tide
(Authentic Reproduction)
 

 

 

It had not taken Coach Bear Bryant long to establish himself as one of the best in the nation nor move the Tide to a National Championship, taking them from the depths of the SEC. The 1961 title seemed to be a natural progression of the plan he installed upon his return to Tuscaloosa in 1958. As Bama tackle and future Clemson and Florida head coach Charlie Pell stated, the principal lesson he learned from his coach was to "think, then make a plan, then set about making it come true." Bryant had and the emphasis had been and remained on defense going into the 1962 season but Bear was smart enough to realize that he had a quarterback who could throw as well as run. What is often lost among Joe Namath's passing legacy is that he was an effective and excellent runner, a true athletic marvel prior to his knee injuries.
 
Namath came to Alabama from Beaver Falls, PA and the local legend immediately charmed and bulled his way into Pat Trammell's former spot as leader of the team and this was a team with great talent. Namath did his share as the soph lofted a 52 yard TD pass to Richard Williamson (future Bucs head coach) on the fifth play of the Georgia game, the opener for '62. His three TD passes set the tone for the year as Bryant opened up the attack and relied upon his great Lee Roy Jordan led defense which yielded but 39 points in eleven games! At 10-1, Namath however, had proven to Bryant that some offensive emphasis would win as he totaled 1192 passing yards and threw for 13 TDs, huge numbers for the day. Moving FB Jackie Sherrill to guard and leaving the backfield leg work to Butch Wilson and the 6'5" Ray Ogden both of whom later enjoyed seven year NFL careers, and both at TE, gave the 1963 offense plenty of punch. The defense again was solid as always with Soph Paul Crane taking over the two-way center and linebacker spot for the departed Jordan. Namath was famously suspended for two games due to off-the-field indiscretions and young Steve Sloan stepped in at QB to lead the team to a 12-7 victory over Ole Miss in a snow-covered Sugar Bowl, leaving the Tide at 9-2 for the season. Properly chastised for 1964, Namath came storming back to take Alabama to the National Championship. Despite splitting time with Sloan as a knee injury took its toll, "The Beaver Falls Bomber" was the emotional leader and future pro Ray Perkins gleefully caught passes from both QB's. HB David Ray, tackle Dan Kearley, and guard Wayne Freeman all were named All American. As the Orange Bowl ended in a 21-17 loss to Texas, Namath stopped inches from the goal line on a fourth down attempt, nothing could diminish the accomplishments of this team. 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.  

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