Why is Joe Namath in the Football Hall of Fame?

With every hall of fame, regardless of the sport, there are certain players enshrined that do not make sense to be there. Either the player in question gains a reputation far beyond his actual abilities, there is a weak class of eligible players for that year, or the player gains entrance through the votes of his peers - a number of which may be on the voting committee (this is actually how 'High Pockets' Kelly made the baseball Hall of Fame, but I digress). In the case of Joe Namath, we have a classic case of the first way in, a player that made it in solely on reputation.

Looking at Namath's career stats, he should not be allowed in Canton even if he bought a ticket. What are his statistics? He had 173 touchdowns, against 220 interceptions. That is a difference of 47 more interceptions than touchdowns. Not good at all. For passing yards, he amassed 27,663 over a 13 year career, which averages out to just over 2100 per season. His per game average - 152. Again, not a good number. His career quarterback rating was a miserable 65.5. The highest quarterback rating he had in any season over his career was 74.3 in 1969. This career mark leaves him tied for 180th all time with Norm Snead. Who? Exactly. Some of the luminaries of the quarterback position that are ahead of him on the list are Eric Hipple (68.7), Joey Harrington (69.4), and Quincy Carter (71.7). Namath is barely ranked ahead of Rick Mirer (63.5) on this list. This is not exactly a list of all time greats that he is surrounded by.

So does this mean that Hipple, Harrington, Carter and Mirer should be enshrined? They are comparable, and in some cases better, than what Namath was in his career. Yet no one is rushing to give them a bust in Canton and the ugly mustard yellow blazer received upon induction.

Then there is the argument that Joe Namath was a winner. His career winning percentage was 48%. He was not even a .500 quarterback overall. All he had was one game when he predicted a victory in a major upset. The image of Joe Namath became clouded with that one boast, and the subsequent images of 'Broadway Joe' in fur jackets, wearing tights, and being the consummate ladies man - which is something Joe still thinks he has, just ask Suzy Kolber.

Stripped away of all the glitz and legend surrounding Joe Namath, he was nothing more than a below average quarterback. Unless there is a Hall of Fame for mediocrity, he should not be enshrined anywhere.