All the Way

My Life in Four Quarters

By: Don Yaeger, Joe Namath, Sean Mortimer

Narrated by: Joe Namath

The NFL icon who first brought show business to sports shares his life lessons on fame, fatherhood, and football. Three days before the 1969 Super Bowl, Joe Namath promised the nation that he would lead the New York Jets to an 18-point underdog victory against the seemingly invincible Baltimore Colts. When the final whistle blew, that promise had been kept.

Namath was instantly heralded as a gridiron god, while his rugged good looks, progressive views on race, and boyish charm quickly transformed him - in an era of raucous rebellion, shifting social norms, and political upheaval - into both a bona fide celebrity and a symbol of the commercialization of pro sports. By 26, with a championship title under his belt, he was quite simply the most famous athlete alive.

Although his legacy has long been cemented in the history books, beneath the eccentric yet charismatic personality was a player plagued by injury and addiction, both sex and substance. When failing knees permanently derailed his career, he turned to Hollywood and endorsements, not to mention a tumultuous marriage and fleeting bouts of sobriety, to try and find purpose. Now 74, Namath is ready to open up, brilliantly using the four quarters of Super Bowl III as the narrative backbone to a life that was anything but charmed.

As much about football and fame as about addiction, fatherhood, and coming to terms with our own mortality, All the Way finally reveals the man behind the icon.

Critic reviews

"Even casual sports fans will find this an enthralling read. For all his flaws - and the author does not hide them - Namath is a likable and lively raconteur. What's more, his is a remarkable life. He not only beat the Colts, he whooped alcoholism, evolved into a doting grandfather and endures the many side affects of gridiron fame with nary a complaint."—USA Today

"So here we have it: a reflective football icon-76 years old, incredibly-and an elder statesman...he tells a good yarn, guaranteed."—The Wall Street Journal

"As exciting as it is personal."—247Sports

"I have read everything about Namath for years....But this new book is different, better than all of the ones before it in a sense. All the Way: My Life in Four Quarters is told in Namath's words. And those words are powerful and instructive.—Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"A pleasure for fans who remember way back to Namath's glory days-and an entertainment for those who are new to the gridiron hero."—Kirkus

"Namath is refreshingly candid throughout...[his] razor-sharp recollections bring a bygone era of football to vivid life in this illuminating volume."—Publishers Weekly

Enlightening

Enjoyed listening to Joe Namth tell his story in football. He really is a very humble person.

Thank you Joe Namath!!

I’ve always wanted to meet Joe Namath ever since I read a book that my dad gave me about him. I was probably only nine or 10 years old back in the early 70’s, I’m 57 now. My family is Hungarian, and I think my dad wanted me to see that being Hungarian was something to be proud of and celebrated. Joe Namath has been my hero ever since.
Listening to this book in Joe’s voice kind of felt like I did meet him, and that we were having the coolest conversation ever. Thanks Joe!!

A Great Listen

I loved this book especially that Joe himself read it. I could feel his emotion in every word he spoke. As a huge Joe fan since the beginning to hear him tell his story in his own voice was very moving and powerful and super enjoyable. Thanks Joe !!

Broadway Joe is still a HEADLINER!!!

Loved it! Listening to Joe tell it with his own style. I GUARANTEE THAT MAAAN!

What a Guy!

I really, really, really do not like football. I thought this book was going to be a personal account of the life of Joe Namath but it was all about football. Totally about football. And I enjoyed it!! Mikey liked it!!

I didn't understand most of the terminology but I loved listening to JN talk about it in his own voice. He has a interesting accent and cadence that made this book fun. Also see him in a different light. He's just a good ol' boy with incredible talent. And he has very white teeth! I can appreciate those pretty teeth!