NEW YORK (AP) – Broadway Joe delivered a headline-making apology.
Joe Namath backpedaled Tuesday on his criticism of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith for not returning to the game Sunday after injuring his right knee and standing on the sideline for the second half of a 24-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Smith was hurt while being sacked in the second quarter. An MRI on Monday revealed that Smith has a torn anterior cruciate ligament , a season-ending injury.
“My bad Geno,” Namath wrote on Twitter to Smith. “In the dark ages we players had the say. I hope you heal and play as long as you choose! Joe.”
Smith started his first game since the 2014 season finale in place of the benched Ryan Fitzpatrick. He was 4 of 8 for 95 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown to Quincy Enunwa, but was hurt when he scrambled to his left and held onto the ball rather than throw it away on a third-down play, and took the sack.