RIP Vito "Babe" Parilli 1930-2017
The Jets Official Site reports that former Jets quarterback Babe Parilli has passed away, aged 87.
Parilli was a three-time pro bowl quarterback prior to signing with the Jets, for whom he served as a back-up to Joe Namath for the last two years of his career.
While he only threw 80 passes as a Jet, one of those came in Super Bowl III. After collecting a Super Bowl ring, Parilli would serve as Namath's understudy for one more year before retiring. He also served as the team's holder on extra points and field goals.
The highlight of Parilli's Jets career came down the stretch in that Super Bowl season as he saw action with the Jets preserving Namath's health for the postseason run. In a December win over Miami, Parilli relieved Namath with the Jets trailing late in the second half. The Jets came from behind to win as he threw three fourth quarter touchdowns, including this one to Bake Turner:
Our sympathies go out to Parilli's family and friends.