Vito “Babe” Parilli, who died Saturday at age 87 from complications of multiple myeloma, had three great years for Bear Bryant at the University of Kentucky. He followed that up with an illustrious and rich 15-year professional quarterbacking career, but it was his 1968 season that is most unforgettable for fans of the New York Jets. Ironically, it had little to do with ducking under center.
Head coach Weeb Ewbank traded backup quarterback Mike Taliaferro to the Boston Patriots in the summer of 1968, providing Joe Namath with an experienced, savvy quarterback who the Jets felt was needed for a championship run.