Joe Namath admitted if he didn't become 100% sober, alcoholism would have led to his death.
The legendary quarterback revealed in his new book, "All the Way: My Life in Four Quarters," that he used his divorce from his wife, Deborah, as an excuse to become consumed by alcohol.
"Health-wise, I'd probably be dead by now if I hadn't stopped drinking," the former Jet wrote (via WFAN). "The drinking was what would kick my butt for a long time. I believe any of us can be brought to our knees whether from physical or emotional pain. Over the years, I learned how fragile we humans can be. Emotionally, I used (the divorce) as an excuse to start drinking again. ... I would drink all day sometimes."
Namath said his wife would encourage him to seek treatment, but after going to therapy he would stop at a liquor store to buy a pint of vodka.
Namath, 75, detailed how he would spend days drunk and that it was a mortifying interview with ESPN's Suzy Kolber in 2003 — in which he said he wanted to kiss her — that drove him to seek treatment.
"I saw it as a blessing in disguise," Namath wrote of the incident. "I had embarrassed my friends and family and could not escape that feeling. I haven't had a drink since. ...That shame is where I found my strength to deal with the addiction. With the help of my recovery, I learned that I had used my divorce as an excuse to go back to drinking. That knowledge made me a stronger individual."
Namath wrote that he deals with temptation in a unique way — he calls the voice in his head that makes him want to drink "Slick," adding that naming his addiction has given him more power over it.
"Every now and then 'Slick' whispers, but having a name for him makes me listen to him differently," Namath wrote.
Namath also revealed that on top of being drunk, he would spend many weeknights in his 20s out until 3 a.m. during the season.
Namath was the Jets' hero in Super Bowl III, where he led New York in an upset victory to top the Colts, also winning Super Bowl MVP. He was with the team from 1965-76 and joined the Rams for a final season in 1977.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.