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Arizona Cardinals: 5 former draft picks who excelled elsewhere

By Sion Fawkes

26 Nov 1995: Runningback Garrison Hearst of the Arizona Cardinals runs down the field during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cardinals won the game 40-37. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
26 Nov 1995: Runningback Garrison Hearst of the Arizona Cardinals runs down the field during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cardinals won the game 40-37. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport /
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Five Arizona Cardinals draft picks who excelled in other cities: Player #3: Joe Namath, QB

Surprised? Well, it is a fact. Joe Namath was the 12th overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft, courtesy of the St. Louis Cardinals. But, we all know the story: Namath was selected first overall by none other than the New York Jets in the 1965 AFL Draft. 

And Namath spent most of his career in New York. And while Namath, even for quarterbacks of his era, didn’t necessarily excel, his Super Bowl III victory, the first of which an AFL/AFC team won, cemented his legacy. So despite his 50.1 completion percentage, 173 passing touchdowns, 220 interceptions, and 65.5 career passer rating, Namath based an entire career on one game. Not to mention his 62-63-4 career record.

But, although he had his shortcomings, Namath probably would have made the St. Louis Cardinals more relevant during the 1960s and early 1970s. They would, however, win the NFC East in 1974 and 1975. They also finished 10-4 in 1976, Namath’s last season with the Jets.

During his AFL/NFL career, Namath played in five Pro Bowls, earning All-Pro honors and winning the Super Bowl III MVP Award. While Namath’s statistics will polarize fans given their relative inadequacy, even in his days, there is no denying he is one of the most memorable and successful players in NFL history.

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