Netflix’s upcoming documentary, tentatively titled Broadway’s Glory Days, promises to dive deep into the remarkable journey of Joe Namath during his transformative years with the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1962 to 1964. Premiering on May 27, 2025, at 11:50 PM WAT (West Africa Time), this film will explore Namath’s rise from a junior college (JUCO) standout to a college football icon, marking a renaissance for Alabama under coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Known as “Broadway Joe,” Namath’s tenure at Alabama is a cornerstone of his legend, and this documentary aims to showcase the unforgettable seasons that shaped his career.
Namath arrived at Alabama after a standout stint at Alabama’s Gadsden State Community College, a JUCO genius move that honed his skills before joining Bryant’s program. His transition to the Crimson Tide in 1962 was a game-changer. As a sophomore, he threw for three touchdowns in his varsity debut against Georgia, completing 10-of-14 passes for 179 yards in a 35-0 rout, signaling his potential. Over three seasons, Namath led Alabama to a 29-4 record, including a 10-1 campaign in 1964 that culminated in a national championship, the second of Bryant’s six titles with the Tide. Despite a knee injury that season, Namath limped through the undefeated regular season, earning MVP honors in the Orange Bowl loss to Texas with 255 passing yards, showcasing his resilience.
The documentary is expected to highlight Namath’s unique style and personality, which set him apart. His white cleats, a superstition from taped-over worn-out shoes, became a trademark, and his 25-yard touchdown pass to Richard Williamson in the 1963 Orange Bowl against Oklahoma underscored his flair. Bryant’s praise—“the greatest athlete I ever coached”—reflects Namath’s dual-threat ability, rushing for 655 yards and 15 touchdowns in college, a stark contrast to his later NFL knee struggles. His 11th-place Heisman finish in 1964, behind Notre Dame’s John Huarte, might be revisited, though his impact transcended individual awards.
Broadway’s Glory Days will likely draw from Namath’s own reflections, as seen in past interviews, and archival footage from his Alabama days, contrasting with the 2012 HBO documentary Namath, which focused more on his NFL career. The film may explore how his JUCO background and Alabama success laid the groundwork for his $427,000 Jets contract in 1965, the highest rookie deal at the time, and his Super Bowl III guarantee. Given Netflix’s SEC content push—following UGA’s Herschel Walker and Texas A&M’s John David Crow documentaries—this release aligns with a trend of celebrating SEC legends, though no official Alabama team involvement is confirmed, per recent reports.
The title suggests a focus on Namath’s “glory days” at Alabama, potentially glossing over later controversies like his 2003 ESPN incident or 2019 lawsuit allegations, which past sources note but don’t detail extensively. Fans on X still revere his Alabama era, often citing his 1964 championship as a defining moment. This documentary, premiering tomorrow, will offer a fresh lens on how Namath’s Crimson Tide renaissance shaped a football icon, appealing to both nostalgic alumni and new viewers.
