Joe Namath earns his college degree

TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Former Alabama quarterback Joe Namath received his degree Saturday after leaving the SEC school in 1965 to join the NFL.

Namath, 64, graduated with a bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies from the school's external studies program.

"This is an Alabama family," Namath told the Birmingham News. "I feel more part of it today than I ever have. It just took me a lot longer. This was a team effort, and I'm just lucky to be able to join up. Don't let anyone tell you it's too late."

Namath, who was 17 credits shy of his degree when he left Alabama and later led the New York Jets to a Super Bowl title, had promised his mother he would return at some point to get his degree and did after a dare by his daughter, Jessica, in 2002, when she was an Alabama student.

Namath, one of about 900 graduates, did not divulge his future plans.