National Football League

SB 3: Namath's guarantee works out as Jets shock Colts

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:40 p.m. ET

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SUPER BOWL 3

Jan. 12, 1969

At Miami-75,377

New York Jets 0.7.6.3-16

Baltimore 0.0.0.7-.7

The first title game dubbed Super Bowl - the idea came from Kansas City owner Lamar Hunt - featured the biggest upset in pro football history.

Despite the fact that the Colts were coming into the game as anything from 17 to 18 1/2 point favorites, Jets quarterback Joe Namath ''guaranteed'' victory on the Thursday before the game. That enraged the Colts, but Namath went out and led the AFL to its first Super Bowl victory over a Baltimore team that had lost only once in 16 games all season.

Namath, chosen the game's most valuable player, completed 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards. The Jets intercepted Colts quarterback Earl Morrall three times in the first half, each deep in New York territory. Jim Turner kicked three field goals.

The Jets finished the game with 337 total yards, including 121 on 30 carries by fullback Matt Snell, who scored their touchdown.

An iconic image of the game: Namath jogging off the Orange Bowl field with his index finger extended in a No. 1 salute.

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Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

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