Former NFL quarterback Joe Namath was an absolute superstar celebrity during the 1960s and 1970s. "Broadway Joe" not only led the Alabama Crimson Tide to a national championship in 1964, he became a Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl III MVP quarterback with the New York Jets in the NFL.
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Namath was beloved by everyone. Football fans couldn't get enough of the kid from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. The media adored the football player, as evidenced by this classic poolside photo before the Super Bowl. He starred on TV in numerous shows. It wasn't until after his iconic Sports Illustrated cover that people began calling him "Broadway Joe" instead of "Joe Willie."
Broadway Joe's authentic, fur-coat wearing persona became a true sex symbol during his era as well. Namath broke down barriers of what it meant to be a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback. He did what he wanted and wore what he wanted under the bright lights of New York City, and the ladies absolutely loved him for it.
There might not be a better example of that than when Namath starred in a commercial selling... (I'm sure you guessed this) pantyhose. Yes, one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time was filmed wearing the women's garment and actually kind of pulled them off.
Namath was known for starring in commercials over the course of his career (and after). Long before he began discussing Medicaid, Medicare or health care enrollment for an insurance company, he was showing off his legs in a commercial that is by far his best.
Joe Namath Pantyhose Commercial
RELATED: Joe Namath's Net Worth: How "Broadway Joe' Raked in the Cash
What did we just watch?
"This commercial will prove to the women of America that Beautymist pantyhose can make any leg look like a million dollars," a voice begins to start the 30-second commercial.
The camera then pans from Namath's pantyhose-covered legs all the way to his face before he proclaims why viewers should buy the article of clothing.
"Now, I don't wear pantyhose. But if Beautymist can make my legs look good, imagine what they'll do for yours," Namath says before letting out a light chuckle.
OK, I'm sold.
I guess Namath really does have an effect on people. Or maybe it's his legs. Either way, this commercial was pure genius.
The ad was for Hanes' Beautymist pantyhose and it was considered controversial for its cross-dressing aspect when it was released in 1973. The commercial, however, ends with Namath receiving a kiss from a woman, proving the pantyhose make someone desirable no matter the gender.
Other Notable Joe Namath Commercials
Namath parlayed his on-field success into wealth from endorsement deals and commercials. He's starred in more than 40 commercials and continues to represent companies to this day.
Pantyhose weren't the only thing Namath sold.
Namath paired up with actress and model Farrah Fawcett in steamy 1973 ad for Noxzema shaving cream. The quarterback says "I'm gonna get creamed" before letting Fawcett shave his face.
Ovaltine milk enlisted Namath in the 1970s and produced a kid-friendly TV commercial endorsing the drink:
In 1997, Nike ran a couple commercials showing a 54-year-old Joe Namath attempting a comeback with the help of the Nike Zoom Air shoes. In one, he drills a few kids with the football a la Indianapolis Colts longtime signal caller Peyton Manning.
Joe Namath is still appearing in commercials and can still be seen in Skechers footwear and Medicare Coverage Helpline TV commercials. Check out iSpot.tv for more of these.
This post was originally published on March 4, 2020, but this commercial is a timeless treasure.
