Joe Namath, 82, Reflects on Addiction and Sobriety in Resurfaced Clip: ‘I'm a Slow Learner, but by God I've Learned'
NFL legend Joe Namath, 82, is going viral all over again. The iconic former NY Jetsquarterback, charmingly nicknamed "Broadway Joe," sat down with interviewer Graham Bensinger to share how he overcame addiction. The interview originally aired in March 2024, but the resurfaced clip is giving Namath's legions of fans another look at his revealing insights into sobriety.The Jets icon has long been open about his battle with alcoholism, writing about it extensively in his autobiography All The Way: My Life In Four Quarters. In the book, Namath shared how his drinking escalated following the end of his NFL career. A turning point came in 2003, when Namath famously told ESPN's Suzy Kolber he wanted to kiss her during a sideline interview. The incident led Namath to seek treatment for alcoholism and marked the beginning of his journey to sobriety.
In his interview with Bensinger—which the host recently reshared on social media—Namath offered heartfelt advice for anyone struggling with addiction.
"Get some help. You've got to want to do it," he said.
"Understand about it. Understand what it is and ask for help. It's like, ask God: 'Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.' Those three things—every day it comes to mind, and it's solid. It's good."
He continued, "If you can get through the physical part of it—withdrawal, or the withdrawals you think there are—it becomes an attitude. I always think about the downtimes, how it made me feel, and how I fouled up everything I ever did in my life. Everything I did that was screwy had some alcohol in it. I'm a slow learner, but by God, I've learned."Fans React to Joe Namath's Comments on Sobriety
"Joe, I love your humility," wrote one fan on Bensinger's social media post, echoing the sentiments of many commenters touched and inspired by Namath's honesty about a dark chapter in his life.
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Joe Namath, 82, Reflects on Addiction and Sobriety in Resurfaced Clip: 'I'm a Slow Learner, but by God I've Learned' first appeared on Parade on Aug 12, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
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