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Hall of Famer Joe Namath took to social media to apologize to Geno Smith on Tuesday, two days removed from publicly questioning the toughness of the current New York Jets quarterback. An MRI exam revealed on Monday that the 26-year-old Smith sustained a torn ACL in New York's 24-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
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"My bad Geno," Namath wrote on Twitter. "In the dark ages we players had the say. I hope you heal and play as long as you choose! Joe"
Smith told reporters on Sunday that he wanted to return to the game, but didn't receive clearance from the team's medical staff. The fourth-year quarterback opted to take the high road with Namath on Twitter.
"Somebody tell Joe that the doctors have the final say on whether you can or cannot get back into the game...... and also that I love him!"
Namath, a former star quarterback for the Jets, started the "conversation" with an in-game tweet on Sunday afternoon.
"If you've got a right knee injury keeping you out of the game why are you standing on the sideline the entire 2nd half? How bad can it be?" wrote Namath, who was no stranger to knee injuries during his career.
Making his first start since Week 17 of the 2014 season, Smith sustained his knee injury after being tackled awkwardly on a second-quarter sack by Ravens linebacker Matt Judon.
Smith, who was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick, returned in street clothes in the second half and was ruled out for the contest.
A 2013 second-round pick, Smith started all 16 games as a rookie and the first eight contests of the 2014 season before he was benched for Michael Vick. Three games later, Smith returned to the lineup and remained the starter the rest of the season.
He was penciled in as the starter last summer under first-year head coach Todd Bowles but lost his job after sustaining a broken jaw in a locker room altercation with ex-teammate IK Enemkpali.
