Jets legend Joe Namath says Aaron Rodgers' forgoing retired No. 12 'touched my heart'

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Aaron Rodgers wore No. 12 for his entire 18-year tenue with the Green Bay Packers, so when rumors swirled that he could possibly join the New York Jets, questions were asked about what number he would wear.

That's because 12 is retired by Gang Green in honor of legendary quarterback Joe Namath.

Namath, though, was quick to give Rodgers his blessing and let the Jets unretire the number if the four-time MVP wanted to wear it.

However, "12 for the Jets is Joe Willy Namath," Rodgers said on Wednesday, and he has reverted to his college uniform number 8.

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Former Professional Football Player Joe Namath (L) and Professional Football Player Aaron Rodgers in the audience during the 2012 NFL Honors at the Murat Theatre on February 4, 2012, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

"I just thought it was appropriate for me to show the proper respect and honor for him and his career by taking a different number," he said.

Namath was touched by the gesture.

"That was warm, that touched my heart a bit, that shows something about the man," the Super Bowl III winner told the New York Post. "He has a way about him, a lot of respect for the past. I was humbly grateful, you know what I mean? It felt good. It made me like [him] even more. First time I met him I liked him, and I’ll tell you what, I’ve not seen anybody play better than him the times over the last 10, 15 years I’ve been watching." 

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers poses with a jersey during an introductory press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on April 26, 2023, in Florham Park, New Jersey.  (Elsa/Getty