Beyond Broadway Joe: The Super Bowl TEAM That Changed Football

In this episode, I talk to Bob Lederer about his book – Beyond Broadway Joe: The Super Bowl TEAM That Changed Football.  The reason why the word TEAM is capitilized is because Super Bowl 3 is often remembered more for “The Guarantee” of Joe Namath than the accomplishment the whole team had against the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.

We get into many topics; ranging from the inception of the team, how Weeb Ewbanks built the team, the game itself, and most importantly – we discuss how all of the players, coaches, and everyone else in the organization pulled together for the greatest upset in Super Bowl history.

Beyond Broadway Joe Overview

***This summary was provided by Bob and his website – beyondbroadwayjoe.com.  You can find plenty more information from the 1968 team over there.

On January 12, 1969, the New York Jets astonished the nation when they beat the favored Baltimore Colts to win Super Bowl III. The key to the Jets’ success was quarterback Joe Namath, whose superstar talent, revolutionary personality, cockiness, and charm made him an instant celebrity. But Namath didn’t do it alone.

In Beyond Broadway Joe, the members of that legendary team share for the first time their often funny, sometimes poignant, and always perceptive personal stories and memorable anecdotes about the Super Bowl team, its players and coaches, and that legendary win.

They reminisce about how they became Jets, their success on the gridiron—ten of them were AFC All-Stars that magical year of 1968—and reveal for the first time the tactic Namath used to frustrate the Baltimore Colts’ defense. They speak about their reactions to Namath’s “guarantee” of a Jets’ Super Bowl victory, and how the “39 Forgotten” Jets behind him enabled Joe to fulfill that boast.

Furthermore, Lederer has interviewed members of the Baltimore team, to provide a 360-degree account of the game that changed it all. Inside, you’ll learn:

  • How Joe Namath was able to manipulate the Baltimore Colts defense in Super Bowl III
  • About the player who convinced Joe Namath, he was a “hot date” and pranked the playboy quarterback
  • How coach Weeb Ewbank used salaries of players on four other AFL teams to control Jets’ player salaries
  • How one Jet, whose play was limited to two games his rookie year, convinced Jets’ Coach and General Manager Weeb Ewbank that he would become an all-star
  • Why Jets’ star offensive tackle Winston Hill, an eight-time All-Pro tackle, was never considered, much less, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • How Super Bowl III may have saved the existence of several AFL teams scheduled to be part of the AFL-NFL merger
  • And much more!

The Jets players reflect on their evolution from a team considered part of a “Mickey Mouse” league, through the sudden transformation caused by the signing and introduction of Joe Namath on America’s sporting scene. The book explains from different angles—including Jets’ game plans—why Jets’ coaches and players were supremely confident going into Super Bowl III.

Written by a lifelong Jets’ fan, Beyond Broadway Joe captures memories—and through never-before-seen material—sheds light on what happened from the 1963 launch of the Jets to the Super Bowl season and in Super Bowl III itself.

This first complete celebration of the Jets’ Super Bowl team is a must for every Jets diehard, for fans of the old American Football League, those who follow the history of professional football, and for all who love the game.

Bob Lederer Bio

I’ve been a fan of the New York Jets since their first year (1963). I’ve always had an ability to write and have spent 40 years as a professional business writer and editor.

Now, I’ve had the pleasure of creating the definitive story of the 1968-69 Super Bowl Jets, the only world championship earned by the team in the franchise’s checkered history.

Bob Lederer standing next to Super Bowl 3 trophy
Photo Courtesy: Bob Lederer (Bob standing next to the Super Bowl III Trophy)

I use the word “definitive” advisedly because this book tells the tales of that most memorable Jets team from the perspectives of all 45 players who put on a white and green uniform that year, plus Coach & General Manager Weeb Ewbank, Assistant Coaches Clive RushWalt MichaelsBuddy Ryan & Joe Spencer, and Principal Owner David A. “Sonny” Werblin.

Jets fans and football fans who appreciate or want to learn how Super Bowl III radically changed the National Football League will enjoy Beyond Broadway Joe: The Super Bowl Team That Changed Football immensely.

Please note – As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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