Welcome to the board. This was recently discussed here, when the topic switched to Mt. Rushmore of football cards, posts 60-65:
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=210598
Some collectors are obviously in your corner on this subject for many of the same reasons you mention; "I equate it to the 1952 Topps Mantle version of football cards. Short print from a popular set, charismatic NY star and unrealized potential due to injury (what-if-mystique)" Scott G.
I do not see it, but I'm too young and on the opposite coast. I probably do not understand the spell Namath may still have over the city of New York.