National Football League

PETA's latest target: Broadway Joe, but does Namath look worried?

Published Feb. 6, 2014 4:01 p.m. ET

foxsports

It's rare to see a celebrity sport a fur coat on national TV in today's PC world.

So how'd you think PETA would react to seeing fur-flaunting Joe Namath at the 50-yard line on Super Bowl Sunday? And you think he's worried?

Flash back to Sunday's Super Bowl XLVIII on FOX, as the world watched former New York Jets legend Joe Namath accompany fellow Super Bowl-winning QB Phil Simms, formerly of the NY Giants, to midfield at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, for the opening coin toss.

Admit it: In today's politically correct environment, at very least you pointed to your party neighbor and either raised an eyebrow or raised your glass . . .

Cue the PETA outrage, in the form of a statement released shortly after the game per several reports. The animal-rights group lambasted Namath, the MVP of Super Bowl III 45 seasons ago, calling him "the real embarrassment on Sunday" — ripping the Pro Football Hall of Famer for his "caveperson coat."

"No matter what he spent on that eyesore, the animals who were trapped, bludgeoned, electrocuted or skinned alive for their fur paid a lot more — the ultimate price, in fact," the group said in a statement.

Namath was interviewed Monday by Sean Hannity, host of "Hannity" on FOX News, about his choice of fur fashion.

Said Namath, "It's not the end of the world."

Now, is this a case of a tiger not changing his stripes? Well, Broadway Joe was well known for his fur fashion . . .

And, of course, some folks in Twitter-ville seem to agree with PETA's stance . . .

This isn't Joe Namath's first time wearing fur to the big game. #SB48 pic.twitter.com/eV9gk5gYje
— WACH FOX (@wachfox) February 2, 2014

Joe Namath fur coat circa 1974. pic.twitter.com/X8zz3u5goP
— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) February 2, 2014

That said, a majority of folks watching the game immediate riffed Major man-love upon Broadway Joe (and no, we are not taking a stance here) . . .

Joe Namath's fur coat looks endangered. #SuperBowl
— Sally Jenkins (@sallyjenx) February 2, 2014

For those wondering at home, Namath's fur was made from two different types of animal fur and purchased for $3,000.

'Flipping the bird to PETA': Joe Namath's fur coat turns heads at the Super Bowl [pic] http://t.co/gRPcNMjeEW
— TwitchyTeam (@TwitchyTeam) February 2, 2014