Super Bowl III: Classic Photos

Super Bowl III: Classic Photos
Super Bowl III: Classic Photos /

Super Bowl III: Classic Photos

Joe Namath

Joe Namath
Walter Iooss Jr./SI

As the Jets and Colts prepare for Sunday's AFC Championship game, we look back to Super Bowl III, the last time these teams met in the playoffs. All discussion of the game begins with Joe Namath's guarantee to reporters that the Jets would win despite being an 18-point underdog. He was right.

Bob Hope

Bob Hope
Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Bob Hope led the pregame celebration, honoring the astronauts of Apollo 8, who just completed the first manned flight around the moon.

Pete Rozelle and Don Shula

Pete Rozelle and Don Shula
Tony Tomsic/Getty Images

NFL commisioner Pete Rozelle chats with Colts coach Don Shula before the game.

Earl Morrall

Earl Morrall
Tony Tomsic/Getty Images

While the Jets were led by Namath, Baltimore's offense was in the hands of QB Earl Morrall, who became the team's starter after a preseason injury to Johnny Unitas. Though Unitas was healthy for the championship game, Colts coach Don Shula stuck with Morrall, who had led his squad to a 13-1 record and boasted the NFL's top passing percentage (93.2).

Matt Snell

Matt Snell
Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Matt Snell scored the game's first touchdown when he scampered in from four yards out in the second quarter.

George Sauer

George Sauer
NFL/Getty Images

Wide receiver George Sauer caught eight passes for 133 yards in the Jets victory.

Tom Matte

Tom Matte
Herb Scharfman/SI

The Colts running attack was led by Tom Matte, who gained 116 yards on 11 carries. On this play, he advances to the Jets' 1.

Joe Namath

Joe Namath
Herb Scharfman/SI

Namath completed 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards. He is the only quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP without throwing at least one touchdown pass.

Jim Turner

Jim Turner
Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Jets placekicker Jim Turner was the game's highest scorer, connecting on three field goals (32, 30, 9) and missing two (41, 42).

Johnny Unitas

Johnny Unitas
Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Late in the third quarter, with the Colts offense struggling, Don Shula turned to Johnny Unitas to spark Baltimore. He led the Colts to their only touchdown and finished the game going 11-for-24 with 110 yards and an interception.

Jerry Hill

Jerry Hill
NFL/Getty Images

Jerry Hill, the Colts second option at running back, scored Baltimore's only touchdown with a 1-yard-run late in the fourth quarter.

Joe Namath

Joe Namath
NFL/Getty Images

Days after guaranteeing a Jets victory, Namath ran off the field with his finger held high, letting the world know that his team is No. 1.

Joe Namath and Weeb Ewbank

Joe Namath and Weeb Ewbank
NFL/Getty Images

Namath celebrates the Jets victory with his father and coach Weeb Ewbank.

New York Jets fans

New York Jets fans
Diamond Images/Getty Images

New York fans traveled to Miami to cheer on the Jets and their famous quarterback.

Super Bowl III ticket

Super Bowl III ticket
NFL/Getty Images

An actual ticket from the game; face value $12.


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