AFL Championship Game

AFL Championship Game. The American Football League (AFL) Championship Game was the ultimate game of the American Football League season, played from 1960 to 1969. The game determined the American Football League champion, with the winner earning a berth in the Super Bowl against the National Football League (NFL) champion, starting with Super Bowl I in 1967. The AFL Championship Game was played between the winners of the AFL Eastern Division and the AFL Western Division, with teams like the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Oakland Raiders competing for the title.

● History of

the AFL Championship Game The American Football League was founded in 1960 by Lamar Hunt, with the first AFL Championship Game played on January 1, 1961, between the Houston Oilers and the Los Angeles Chargers. The game was played at Jeppesen Stadium in Houston, Texas, with the Houston Oilers winning 24-16. The AFL Championship Game was initially played at the home stadium of the team with the better regular-season record, but later games were played at neutral sites, such as War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, New York, and Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The AFL merged with the National Football League (NFL) in 1970, and the AFL Championship Game was replaced by the AFC Championship Game.

● Championship Game Results

The AFL Championship Game was played for 10 seasons, with the Houston Oilers winning the first two championships in 1960 and 1961. The Dallas Texans won the championship in 1962, and the San Diego Chargers won in 1963. The Buffalo Bills won two consecutive championships in 1964 and 1965, and the Kansas City Chiefs won in 1966. The Oakland Raiders won the championship in 1967, and the New York Jets won in 1968. The Kansas City Chiefs won the final AFL Championship Game in 1969, defeating the Oakland Raiders 17-7 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Other notable teams that competed in the AFL Championship Game include the Boston Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Miami Dolphins.

● Most Valuable Player Award

The AFL Championship Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) award was given to the most outstanding player in the game, with winners including Jack Kemp of the Buffalo Bills in 1965, and Joe Namath of the New York Jets in 1968. Other notable MVP winners include Len Dawson of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1966, and Daryle Lamonica of the Oakland Raiders in 1967. The MVP award was sponsored by Sports Illustrated and was presented to the winner at the end of the game. The award was also given to players like Jim Turner of the New York Jets and George Blanda of the Oakland Raiders.

● Game Format and Eligibility

The AFL Championship Game was played between the winners of the AFL Eastern Division and the AFL Western Division, with the team having the better regular-season record hosting the game. The game was played with the same rules as the regular season, with a few exceptions, such as the use of a coin toss to determine which team received the ball first. The game was also played with a overtime period, if the score was tied at the end of four quarters. Teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers were not part of the AFL, but later joined the American Football Conference (AFC) after the AFL-NFL merger.

● Notable Games and Moments

The AFL Championship Game had several notable games and moments, including the 1962 AFL Championship Game, which was played in Dallas, Texas, and featured the Dallas Texans defeating the Houston Oilers 20-17 in triple overtime. Another notable game was the 1968 AFL Championship Game, which was played at Shea Stadium in New York City, and featured the New York Jets defeating the Oakland Raiders 27-23. The game was also notable for the guarantee made by Joe Namath that the New York Jets would win the game, which they did. Other notable moments include the 1966 AFL Championship Game, which was played at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, New York, and featured the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the Buffalo Bills 31-7.

● Legacy and Impact

The AFL Championship Game had a significant impact on the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL), as it helped to establish the AFL as a major professional football league. The game also played a role in the AFL-NFL merger, which was completed in 1970. The AFL Championship Game also helped to launch the careers of several notable players, including Joe Namath, Len Dawson, and Jim Turner. The game is still remembered today as an important part of American football history, with teams like the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Dallas Cowboys competing in the Super Bowl. The AFL Championship Game is also commemorated by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, which features exhibits and artifacts from the game. Category:American Football League