Michael Penix Jr.’s journey has precedent. The year 1965 will go down as a year of transition. The perception to the significance of a war in southeast Asia was just being realized. The evolving perspective to the conflict would help shape government policy to end the war, a war that unfortunately would go on for more seven years. Domestically, Bob Dylan had opened the Newport Fold Festival in July playing an all-electric set for the first time. Most of the audience was not prepared for the change from an all-acoustic show and voiced their displeasure. And tertiary, changes in football were occurring, as the National Football League (NFL) was about to get into a bidding war with the upstart American Football League (AFL) over players. The conflict would resolve with the ultimate merger of the two leagues several years later.
Joe “Willie” Namath
The incendiary to the dispute was a quarterback, Joe “Willie” Namath. Namath played for three years in Alabama under the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant. In his first game in 1962, Namath led the Crimson Tide to a 35-0 victory over Georgia. Namath finished his collegiate career with a 29-4 record, capped off with a national championship in 1964. Namath first injured his right knee in the fourth game during his senior year. Namath’s injury ultimately lowered his perceived value in the draft as the St. Louis Cardinals took the quarterback 12th in the 1965 draft.
Having moved from Chicago, and now in their fifth season in St. Louis, the Cardinals (9-3-2) were the runner-up in the Eastern Conference, finishing a half game behind the Cleveland Browns (10-3-1), who won the NFL championship that season. In 1964 the Cardinals were led by quarterback Charley Johnson, a player who ultimately would throw for more interceptions that touchdowns in his career. Namath was taken 12th overall. The Cardinals were a good team in need of a quarterback.
Sonny Werblin takes a chance
In New York, David “Sonny” Werblin took a chance. The New York Jets drafted Namath first in the AFL draft and signed him to the unheard-of sum at the time of $427,000. To close the deal, the advertising executive sweetened the terms as he threw in a Cadillac; Namath signed with a team that had gone 5-8-1 the previous year.
A career advertising executive, Werblin calculated that the promotion of Namath was more than off set by the money spent in signing the quarterback to the largest football contract in either league at the time. Season ticket sales immediately increased from 11,000 to 35,000. Werblin’s marketing acumen was spot on; in regards to whether Namath, a player coming off an injury would be successful on the field, he hedged his bets. Werblin also signed John Huarte, the Heisman Trophy winner from Notre Dame. Huarte had been the twelfth overall selection of the AFL draft, and the 76th pick of the NFL draft.
Werblin out negotiated the Philadelphia Eagles for Huarte’s services. Werblin understood that even the biggest promotion could not work if the product was not good. Namath was good. In training camp Namath beat out Huarte and the incumbent starter Mike Taliaferro for the starting position. Werblin had taken a chance on Namath, it would pay off. Namath ultimately won a Super Bowl and played 12 years for the Jets.
Michael Penix Jr. validates DeBoer’s belief
Kalen DeBoer believes in taking chances too. DeBoer had been the offensive coordinator for Indiana University and coached quarterback Michael Penix Jr. In two of Penix’s four years at Indiana he played the majority of the games for the Hoosiers just twice. Those two seasons represent the only two winning seasons for Indiana football in the last 16 season. When DeBoer became head coach at Washington he took Penix Jr with him. The coach overlooked the injuries that the quarterback had sustained during his four years at Indiana: Two ACL tears and two shoulder joint injuries.
DeBoer’s belief in Penix Jr. was validated on the field the last two years. In 2022 The southpaw completed 65.3% of his passes for 4,641 yards while throwing for 31 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. This past year Penix Jr had another injury free year completing 65.4% passes for 4,904 yards with 36 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions.
In looking at film, one sees a blue-chip 1st round talent. The ability to process from the pocket. Pre-snap identification. Adequate arm strength. A quick release. Velocity on the ball into a tight window. Even some mobility. All the qualities needed to succeed in the NFL are present. The question that has to be asked is: Who will take the chance?
Barry Schustermann
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