Football legend Joe Namath has been linked to the Gambinos and the Luccheses through his controversial Upper East Side bar, Bachelors III. The establishment attracted a slew of bookies, loan sharks, and mobsters, prompting the NFL to intervene and force Namath to divest his ownership stake in the club.
In 1967, the FBI compiled a dossier on Namath, adding him to the infamous “Hoover’s Files” list. Reports indicated that Namath frequented the Pussycat Bar in New York City, which was allegedly owned by Carmine Tramunti, a prominent member of the Lucchese crime family. The bar was known to have a strong mob presence, further fueling speculation about Namath’s ties to organized crime.
Despite rumors and allegations, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that Namath was involved in criminal activities such as game-fixing. However, his close friend, former linebacker Jack Lambert, hinted at Namath’s attraction to danger and excitement, suggesting that Joe enjoyed being on the fringes of the underworld.
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