For years Hall of Famer Joe Namath dazzled football fans on the field for the New York Jets, but now Broadway Joe is going the distance for The Able Trust as their Honorary Chair for the 9th Annual Gala, "Sunset on the Savannah: An African Adventure".
We are ecstatic that Joe has come on board for this year's event. He has always shown his heart is as big as his personality and we are very lucky to have him a part of this important event for The Able Trust" said gala Chairwoman, Ms. Leslie Sacks.
The gala, which will take place on Friday, March 16, 2007 at the exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club, will mark Namath's first-time partnership with The Able Trust. Namath who has been involved in numerous business activities since his retirement from professional football has also served as Celebrity Spokesman lending his time and influence to the March of Dimes for the past eight years.
Joe Namath made the transition from a country boy in rural Pennsylvania to "Broadway Joe", the iconic figure who guaranteed a Super Bowl victory and became an all-time legend of professional football. Namath, MVP of Super Bowl III and an NFL Hall-of-Famer, is universally regarded as the person responsible for the eventual merger of the AFL and NFL and for changing the Super Bowl from a game to an "Event."
In addition to his numerous achievements on the field, Namath became the first 4000-yard passer in the history of professional football. Upon his retirement, Senator Jack Kemp introduced a tribute to Namath that became part of the Congressional Record. The New York Jets retired Joe's number 12, making it the first number to be retired by the Jets.
In the spirit of giving back, after his football career ended, Namath - together with NY Jets teammate John Dockery - formed a Football Camp for boys 8 to 18 that recently concluded its' 34th consecutive season. Typical of Namath's values and character, the coaching staff and resident pros of the football camp are chosen for their personal integrity and interest in youth, in addition to their athletic achievement.
Namath has also enjoyed considerable success on the stage, starring in such productions as "Picnic," "Li' l Abner,""Damn Yankees" and "Guys and Dolls", among others. A highlight of his television and film career included a memorable big-screen debut with Ann-Margaret in CC and Company.
Today, Namath resides locally in Florida with his two daughters Jessica & Olivia.
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The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, is a public-private partnership foundation established by the Florida Legislature in 1990. Its mission is to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public awareness and education. Since its establishment, The Able Trust has awarded over $18 million to individuals and nonprofit agencies for employment-related purposes, enabling over 2,000 Florida citizens with disabilities to enter the workforce each year.