Joe Namath Makes Pass At ESPN Reporter On Camera

Local6.com ^ | 12/22/03 | AP

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

NEW YORK -- It was a football sideline interview -- complete with a pass.

ESPN cut short an interview with Joe Namath during Saturday's Jets-Patriots game -- after some curious answers from the Hall of Fame quarterback.

When reporter Suzy Kolber asked Namath what the Jets' struggles this season mean to him personally, he leaned in and said: "I want to kiss you."

Kolber's reply: "Thanks, Joe. A huge compliment."

Namath later repeated: "I want to kiss you." Kolber sent it back to the announcers in the booth.

The network said Namath also "made some relevant football points" -- but adds it wouldn't have done the interview if it had known what Namath was going to say.

The Jets aren't commenting on the exchange

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

You know... you never, *ever* see him do this to Bob Costas, really. :)

[TheBigB]

you never, *ever* see him do this to Bob Costas

...in public. ;-)

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Oops! Sorry for accidentally screwing up the headline. Mods... could you possibly fix, please...? :)

[WinOne4TheGipper]

They replayed it on the local sports news. He was obviously drunk. Why the heck did the sideline reporter even go near him, knowing that?

[SwinneySwitch]

Say it ain' so, Joe drunk? No way!

[freedomson]

She's a nice jewish girl. Cute as a button but, kinda jocky IMO.

[iranger]

He had to be drunk. I mean come on....Suzy Kolber....can you say beer goggles.

[Sam's Army]

If Namath had made this comment to a man---he'd be touted as a forward thinking hero.

[longshadow]

They replayed it on the local sports news. He was obviously drunk.

THe best part of the story has been left out.

After the sports-gal handed off back to the guys in the booth, the guys doing the game tried their best to smooth things over. One commentator said: "Joe's just a happy guy" to which another announcer replied: "Yeah; he's REALLY 'happy' tonight!"

THe whole thing was hilarious. The sports-gal gets credit for not getting flustered by Broadway Joe's bizarre behavior. She just took it in stride, and handed off the interview as soon as it was practical.

Note to Network: These things wouldn't happen so often if you used microphones with built-in Breathalyzers.

[Tijeras_Slim]

These things wouldn't happen so often if you used microphones with built-in Breathalyzers.

That might violate Teddy Kennedy's first amendment rights.

[discostu]

Broadway Joe was feeling no pain. I felt kind of sorry for Suzy, she's one of the few sideline people working NFL broadcast that knows football (and the only woman sideliner that knows football), she deserved better. I'm sure Sunday morning Joe was regretting it though, he was very bubbly.

[discostu]

Because he's Broadway Joe Namath and he was there getting his annual award from the Jets for providing the franchise's best years (seems they drag him up once a year for something).

[capydick]

I just saw Joe yesterday while in Manhattan. We were at a light and I looked to my left and there he was standing next to me! I shook his hand and we exchanged a few brief words. He didnt seem like he was drunk and/or hungover. He was a decent guy and, when the light changed he said "Have a Merry Christmas" and crossed the street. He didnt offer me a kiss but he was checking out my wife.

[Normal4me]

Below is the link for the video. Not my site so it might have got hammered already. (Uh, no pun intended)

Clicky

[Rocket1968]

I saw the whole intrerview. He was definately blitzed (to use a football term). The reporter did an excellent job. She deserves a lot of credit. I think the sideline people should be doing a little screenig before turning the camera on. I felt sorry for her and for Joe. The booth guys did a pretty good recovery too.

[You Dirty Rats]

Suzy is OK with it; she realizes it goes with the territory and doesn't take it personally. Ol' Broadway Joe did make a complete ass out of himself, though. Not that he cares; back in the day, he was the Magnetic North Pole for babes.

[ConservativeMan55]

LOL!

[Michael.SF.]

Joe, just can't throw a pass like he use to.

[Spok]

Sounds like Broadway Joe has discovered Viagra.
I haven't seen him in years-does he still wear pantyhose?

[discostu]

As long as you don't look at his knees he's still not a bad looking dude, those knees of his are pretty nasty though. Glad Suzy is OK with it, I dig her, if only because every time she appears on camera she proves Andy Rooney is a moron.