1965 Topps #122 Joe Namath ROOKIE PSA NM-MT 8

1965 Topps #122 Joe Namath PSA 8 - The Iconic Rookie of Broadway Joe, in a Landmark Oversized Design

Before the fur coat, the Super Bowl guarantee, and the bright lights of Broadway, Joe Namath was a rocket-armed rookie from Alabama with swagger to spare and a knee already wrapped in legend. Drafted by both the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals and the AFL’s New York Jets, Namath chose the upstart league—and by doing so, he became its face, its marketing engine, and ultimately, its savior. His arrival in 1965 ushered in a new era of charisma and passing prowess that would forever change professional football.

Topps honored that arrival with one of the most distinctive football rookie cards ever produced. The 1965 set features tallboy dimensions that stand out in any collection, and Namath’s card—#122—sits at the very heart of hobby royalty. This PSA 8 example offers sharp corners, clean edges, and a vivid color palette, with Namath's youthful gaze and confident pose framed in vibrant Jets green. The oversized format only adds to its visual impact, and centering like this—often a challenge in the set—is excellent.

As Namath led the Jets to a legendary upset over the Colts in Super Bowl III, this card became more than just a rookie—it became a cultural artifact. A cornerstone of vintage football collecting, and one of the most recognizable sports cards ever printed, the 1965 Namath remains as iconic as the man himself. This high-grade specimen is a bold tribute to the player who brought style, swagger, and seismic change to the gridiron.