NFL Icon Joe Namath Accused of Negligence in Alleged Child Sexual Abuse Cover-Up
Troubling accusations have surfaced against legendary New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath. The accusations, detailed in a report by the New York Post, involve claims of child sexual abuse at Namath’s football camp during his playing days. The accuser, identified as Philip Lyle Smith, alleges that the abuse took place at the Joe Namath Instructional Football Camp and that Namath, along with former Jets defensive back John Dockery, was aware of and covered up the abuse.
Smith, now 64, spoke publicly for the first time about his traumatic experience at the camp, identifying his alleged predator as Philip Foglietta, a football coach at Brooklyn Poly Prep Country Club. Foglietta was later exposed as a serial pedophile who abused numerous students at the prestigious school.
Jets legend Joe Namath accused of allowing child sex abuse at football camp: ‘From hero to zero’ https://t.co/xbryhirMSe pic.twitter.com/X6aNs9H0En
— New York Post (@nypost) November 20, 2023
The court documents, part of an ongoing lawsuit filed in 2021, accuse Namath and others at the camp of negligence, inadequate security, breach of duty, assault, battery, and causing emotional distress. The plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages for the lasting effects of the alleged abuse. The accusations draw parallels to other high-profile cases involving prominent figures who were accused of covering up instances of child sexual abuse.