American Football League

American Football League. The American Football League was a major professional American football league that operated from 1960 through 1969, after which it merged with the older National Football League (NFL). Founded by a group of wealthy businessmen, including Lamar Hunt, it successfully challenged the NFL's monopoly, leading to a fierce rivalry that culminated in the AFL–NFL merger agreement of 1966. The league was known for its innovative, pass-oriented style of play, charismatic players, and significant contributions to the modern game, with all ten of its franchises becoming part of the NFL.

History

The league was conceived in 1959 by Lamar Hunt, son of H. L. Hunt, after unsuccessful attempts to acquire an existing National Football League franchise. Hunt recruited other influential owners, such as Billy Sullivan of Boston, Barron Hilton of Los Angeles, and Ralph Wilson of Buffalo, to form a new eight-team circuit. The inaugural 1960 season began with franchises in Boston, Buffalo, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and Oakland. Despite early financial struggles and skepticism, the league secured a landmark television contract with ABC in 1960, providing crucial stability. A pivotal moment in the rivalry with the National Football League was the signing of Joe Namath by the New York Jets in 1965, which demonstrated the AFL's financial clout and competitive ambition.

Teams

The original eight franchises remained stable through the 1965 season. In 1963, the Los Angeles Chargers relocated to become the San Diego Chargers. The Dallas Texans moved to Kansas City in 1963, becoming the Kansas City Chiefs. The New York Titans were reorganized in 1963 and renamed the New York Jets. The league expanded to nine teams with the addition of the Miami Dolphins in 1966, owned by Joe Robbie and actor Danny Thomas. A tenth franchise, the Cincinnati Bengals, owned by Paul Brown, joined in 1968. Other cornerstone franchises included the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders, and Boston Patriots (later the New England Patriots).

Seasons and champions

The league played a 14-game regular season schedule from 1960 through 1968, expanding to 16 games in 1969. Its championship game, initially called the AFL Championship Game, was contested annually. The Houston Oilers won the first two titles in 1960 and 1961, led by quarterback George Blanda. The Dallas Texans won the 1962 AFL Championship Game in a classic double-overtime contest against the Houston Oilers. The San Diego Chargers, coached by Sid Gillman, captured the 1963 title. The Buffalo Bills, featuring running back Cookie Gilchrist, won consecutive championships in 1964 and 1965. The Kansas City Chiefs won the 1966 AFL Championship Game and the 1969 AFL Championship Game, while the Oakland Raiders claimed the 1967 title. The New York Jets won the 1968 AFL Championship Game, famously preceding their victory in Super Bowl III.

Legacy and merger

The league's most enduring legacy is the AFL–NFL merger, agreed upon in 1966 and fully implemented by the 1970 NFL season. Key terms included a common draft, a unified schedule, and an annual championship game between the league champions, which became the Super Bowl. The fourth Super Bowl victory by the Kansas City Chiefs proved the league's competitive parity. The merger created the modern National Football League structure with the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC). The AFL introduced many elements now standard in professional football, including player names on jerseys, the two-point conversion, and official timekeeping on the stadium scoreboard. Its aggressive, vertical passing game, pioneered by coaches like Sid Gillman and Al Davis, permanently influenced offensive strategy.

Commissioners and executives

The league's first commissioner was former Marine and Medal of Honor recipient Joe Foss, who served from 1960 to 1966. Foss was instrumental in securing the league's early television deals and establishing its identity. He was succeeded in 1966 by Al Davis, the former head coach and general manager of the Oakland Raiders. Davis's brief but impactful tenure was marked by an aggressive recruitment war against the National Football League, which accelerated merger talks. Other key executives included founder Lamar Hunt, who served as president of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Ralph Wilson, the longtime owner of the Buffalo Bills. The league's legal affairs were often handled by attorney John J. O'Reilly.

Rules and innovations

The league distinguished itself with several rule differences and innovations aimed at creating a more exciting, fan-friendly product. It adopted the two-point conversion option in 1960, a rule not implemented in the National Football League until 1994. It placed official game clocks on the stadium scoreboard for fans to see, a novel concept at the time. The AFL also encouraged a more wide-open style of play by emphasizing the forward pass; rules protecting the quarterback and receivers were more liberally enforced. It was the first league to use the term "Super Bowl" for its championship contest with the NFL. The league's official football, manufactured by Wilson Sporting Goods, had a distinctive white stripe and was considered easier to throw and catch, further aiding the passing game. These innovations collectively helped shape the modern spectacle of professional football. Category:American Football League Category:Defunct American football leagues Category:National Football League history