Joe NamathNFL America's Game: 1968 JETS (Super Bowl III)

I enjoy reliving the lone NY Jets Super Bowl win every now and then.

I have previously purchased (3) of these DVD's in the America's Game set (1970 Colts, 71 Cowboys, and the 69 Vikings-Missing Rings), and this ranks alongside the 69 Vikings as the best produced one yet; and this is difficult to admit given that I am a lifelong Baltimore Colts fan (yes, BALTIMORE, NOT INDY). But like a train wreck where you really should't watch it, but are compelled to, I had to buy it to get the NY perspective of Super Bowl 3 from their side. The DVD interviewees are Don Maynard, Joe Namath and Gerry Philbin, and I have to admit, I was absolutely floored at some of the content that was released in it. When Joe Namath is being interviewed and he states that one of the biggest honors he ever received as a player was being named team captain, and 3 seconds later Gerry Philbin remarks that the only reason Joe Namath was named team captain was because the owners and team management told the rest of the team that they HAD to name him, I was shocked and amused at the rest of the story. Another episode that really has some shock value to it is a segment where both Philbin and Namath are on the "Kyle Rote Show" at the end of the season, and Namath remarks on it that "He'd rather face the Raiders instead of the Chiefs for the AFL championship" and goes on to state just why (the Chiefs and Raiders had tied for the Western Division championship at the end of the 68 season and needed a one-game playoff to decide who would go to the AFL championship game). For me, during that time period where humility was common, to hear him state that on national television was really kind of a revelation, and surprised me as much as the "guarantee" he made in stating the Jets were going to beat the Colts. Again, Namath is a good interviewee, but for me, Maynard and Philbin are the real stars of this DVD. I havent seen either one give a whole lot of interviews in any of the previous NFL Films sets, but after watching these two, I wish they were the focus of other DVD sets as well.Frankly, I have to admit that this was a really well produced DVD and was definitely worth the money . .even if it was at the expense of my Colts back in '68.

Very enjoyable; a familiar story with some extra insights and some footage people will unlikely have seen before. Joe Namath is of course one of the commentators, but with receiver Don Maynard and defensive end Gerry Philbin, you have some added entertainment because of their blunt and, at times, irreverent tone. In the case of Philbin, the irreverent tone was at times applied to Namath. Take Philbin's truthful comments on why Namath was elected captain at the beginning of the 1968 season: not because he had the necessaries, but because the Jets needed him to take the responsibility to negate his flamboyant style and off-the-field antics that tended to take his mind away from the game.Namath pays homage to offensive guard Dave Herman (who had to block Bubba Smith) and, of course, fullback Matt Snell, as heroes of Super Bowl III. As for the MVP award, well, he is not so sure he absolutely deserved it, but with a smile, he is glad to have it. I must say, I never objected severely to Namath and his guarantee as Super Bowl III MVP, although I admit, if it cracked down to it, I would take Snell. However, I have always thought Namath, with pretty good stats (including yay, no interceptions), and receiver George Sauer were close performance-wise. Namath vs. Snell is sort of like Roger Maris vs. Mickey Mantle for 1961 AL MVP -- it is an obvious analogy.What was missing was enough acknowledgement of the Jets' excellent defensive team of that year. Sure, with Philbin as the commentator, they were bound to show a couple of good plays by him, but both the regular program and the extras were otherwise completely dominated by the offense: Namath all over the place, then joint profiles in the extras of halfback Emerson Boozer and Snell, plus Maynard and Sauer. There is a separate section on Sauer's reasons for retirement and disenchantment with football that I find confusing and unclear.But that year, the Jets finished first in fewest yards allowed, fewest rushing yards allowed, and lowest yards per carry (3.2) against opposing rushers. Defensive tackles Verlon Biggs and John Elliot and the three linebackers were tough cookies. The Jets allowed 280 points, but ten of the touchdowns, including four touchdown runs on intercepted Namath passes, were ones the defense did not allow. Keener football fans will recall that only two years later, in 1970, the first year after the merger with the NFL, the Jets were even better against the rush. Despite Philbin's missing many games with injuries, they held opposing offenses to 3.1 yards per carry, the best in pro football, in a 26-team league as opposed to 10 AFL teams in 1968.I could go on: The offensive line deserved a lot of credit too, but the backfield and receivers made the headlines. Anyway, I recommend this DVD for fans of the Jets dream season as well as those who want to get a good picture of what the AFL was like in the 1960s.

The dvd arrived in great condition I have not gifted it yet but I am pleased with the quality and price

For the insight which they provide, the "America's Game" series is an excellent set of documentaries. The picture quality is impressive also, especially when footage presented in the NFL's "Greatest Games" series can be so poor with respect to games recorded prior to 1986. If you'd like to see a more comprehensive recording of the Jets in Super Bowl III, then disc #2 from the "Complete History of the New York Jets" by the NFL, is a great alternative.Additionally, you must follow-up by watching the "America's Game" DVD for Superbowl V; an essential companion which details the far-reaching consequences of the Colts' loss in Superbowl III and of their recovery to win the fifth championship game!

It's nice to get a different perspective of the season from some of the players that experienced it. I enjoyed the interviews and overview of the entire season, culminating with Superbowl III. Very interesting to see how things really went during the season. For instance, the making of Joe Namath team captain. Didn't know the details until watching this video. So you get this and much more insight from this video presentation. I highly recommend this video even if you're not a Jets fan. I can say that with all sincerity since I was a Baltimore Colts, John Unitas fan growing up. Add it to your collection and enjoy!

My dad would always talk about this game. When I found this I knew it would be the perfect Christmas gift.

Great video. Just finished reading a biography on Joe Namath and was anxious to see this video. It was very entertaining.

リアルタイムでは見れませんでしたが、I guaranteeの名台詞でAFL王者がスーパーボウルを制した歴史的勝利前から欲しかったのですが、入荷予定なしで長らく待っていたところやっと在庫ができたようでしたが、はじめの10万の値だと誰も買えないです（笑）スカパーでもある程度内容は見て知ってたので急いでいなかったし記録として持ちたかったため安くなるの待って買いました何にしろジェッツ最高です