The Guarantee: Joe Namath’s Triumph and the AFL’s Defining Moment
Super Bowl III, played on January 12, 1969, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, was a defining moment in football history. The New York Jets, led by quarterback Joe Namath, shocked the heavily favored Baltimore Colts with a 16–7 victory. This game not only validated the American Football League (AFL) as a legitimate competitor to the National Football League (NFL) but also remains one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Here are the three most impactful plays that shaped the outcome:
1. Jim Hudson’s Interception Before Halftime
Late in the second quarter, with Baltimore trailing 7–0, Colts quarterback Earl Morrall attempted a trick play — a flea flicker. Morrall handed off to Tom Matte, who then pitched the ball back to Morrall for a pass. Wide receiver Jimmy Orr was wide open near the end zone, waving his arms frantically, but Morrall failed to see him and instead threw into coverage over the middle. Jets safety Jim Hudson intercepted the pass at New York’s 12-yard line, preserving the Jets’ lead and preventing what could have been a game-changing touchdown for the Colts.
2. Matt Snell’s 4-Yard Touchdown Run
Early in the second quarter, Matt Snell capped off a methodical 12-play, 80-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run over left tackle. This drive featured multiple runs of “19 Straight,” a play that exploited weaknesses in Baltimore’s defense. Snell’s touchdown gave the Jets their first points and set the tone for their physical dominance throughout the game.
3. Herb Adderley’s Fourth-Quarter Interception
In the fourth quarter, with Baltimore desperately trying to mount a comeback, Johnny Unitas — who had replaced Morrall — drove the Colts deep into Jets territory. However, Jets cornerback Randy Beverly intercepted Unitas near the goal line, ending Baltimore’s best chance to close the gap. This play effectively sealed New York’s victory and cemented their place in history.
Super Bowl III: A Historic Upset
The significance of Super Bowl III extends far beyond these key plays — it was a cultural and sporting turning point that reshaped professional football forever.
Pre-Game Context: The Guarantee
Before diving into more details about the game itself, it’s important to understand the context surrounding Super Bowl III. The Baltimore Colts entered as 18-point favorites after dominating the NFL with a 13–1 record during the regular season and crushing Cleveland 34–0 in the NFL Championship Game. Coached by Don Shula and featuring backup quarterback Earl Morrall — who had an MVP-caliber season — the Colts were widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in NFL history.
On the other hand, Joe Namath’s New York Jets represented an AFL that many still considered inferior to the NFL. The AFL had lost both previous Super Bowls decisively to Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers.
However, three days before kickoff, Namath famously guaranteed victory at an event hosted by Miami’s Touchdown Club. His brash confidence was initially dismissed as bravado by fans and analysts alike. But Namath backed up his words with one of football’s most iconic performances.
The Game: How It Unfolded
First Half: Jets Take Control
The first half was defined by missed opportunities for Baltimore and disciplined execution by New York.
- On Baltimore’s opening drive, kicker Lou Michaels missed a 27-yard field goal attempt after an otherwise promising drive stalled.
- The Jets capitalized on their defensive stops with methodical offensive drives led by Namath and running back Matt Snell. After Snell’s four-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter gave New York a 7–0 lead, Jim Turner added a field goal before halftime to make it 10–0.
Baltimore had chances to respond but faltered repeatedly:
- Earl Morrall threw three interceptions in critical moments during the first half.
- The most glaring mistake was Morrall’s missed opportunity on the flea flicker late in the second quarter when he failed to see Jimmy Orr wide open for what would have been an easy touchdown.
Second Half: Jets Extend Their Lead
The Jets continued their efficient play in the second half while Baltimore struggled to find any rhythm.
- On Baltimore’s first possession of the third quarter, Tom Matte fumbled after being hit by linebacker Ralph Baker. The Jets recovered and turned it into another Jim Turner field goal to extend their lead to 13–0[5].
- Namath orchestrated another long drive later in the third quarter that culminated in Turner’s third field goal of the game early in the fourth quarter, pushing New York’s lead to 16–0.
Fourth Quarter: Colts’ Late Push Falls Short
In desperation mode, Don Shula benched Morrall and brought in Johnny Unitas — who had been sidelined most of the season with an injury. Unitas provided a spark for Baltimore:
- He led a scoring drive capped by Jerry Hill’s one-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes remaining.
- After recovering an onside kick, Unitas drove Baltimore deep into Jets territory again but failed to convert on fourth down inside New York’s red zone.
The Jets ran out the clock from there, securing their historic victory.
Key Performances
1. Joe Namath (MVP)
Namath didn’t throw for any touchdowns but completed 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards while managing an efficient offense that controlled time of possession. His ability to read Baltimore’s defense and consistently find George Sauer (8 receptions for 133 yards) kept drives alive.
2. Matt Snell
Snell carried much of New York’s offensive load with 30 rushes for 121 yards and one touchdown. His performance against Baltimore’s vaunted defense was critical to keeping pressure off Namath and maintaining control of the game.
3. Jets Defense
The unsung heroes of Super Bowl III were New York’s defenders:
— They intercepted Morrall three times.
— They held Baltimore’s high-powered offense scoreless until late in the fourth quarter.
— Players like Randy Beverly (two interceptions) and Jim Hudson made game-changing plays.
Impact and Legacy
Super Bowl III was more than just an upset — it was a turning point for professional football:
1. Legitimacy for the AFL
The win proved that AFL teams could compete with NFL teams at the highest level. This validation accelerated fan interest in AFL teams ahead of their official merger with the NFL in 1970.
2. Joe Namath Becomes a Legend
Namath’s guarantee — and his subsequent MVP performance — cemented his status as one of football’s most iconic figures.
3. Cultural Shift
The victory symbolized a broader cultural shift during America’s turbulent late-1960s era: brash confidence overcoming established norms.
Super Bowl III remains one of sports’ greatest upsets — a moment when belief triumphed over odds and changed football forever.