American Football League
American Football League[edit | edit source]
The American Football League (AFL) was a major professional American football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when it merged with the National Football League (NFL). The AFL was instrumental in popularizing professional football in the United States and was a key factor in the eventual formation of the modern NFL.
History[edit | edit source]
Formation[edit | edit source]
The AFL was founded in 1959 by a group of businessmen who were unable to secure NFL franchises. The league began play in 1960 with eight teams: the Boston Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Texans, Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Titans, and Oakland Raiders.
Growth and Competition[edit | edit source]
The AFL quickly established itself as a competitive league, both on and off the field. It introduced several innovations, such as the two-point conversion and the use of names on player jerseys. The league also signed a lucrative television contract with ABC, which helped increase its visibility and popularity.
Merger with the NFL[edit | edit source]
In 1966, the AFL and NFL agreed to merge, a process that was completed in 1970. The merger resulted in the creation of the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) within the NFL. The AFL's legacy includes the Super Bowl, which was originally conceived as a championship game between the two leagues.
Teams[edit | edit source]
The AFL consisted of the following teams during its existence:
- Boston Patriots (now the New England Patriots)
- Buffalo Bills
- Dallas Texans (became the Kansas City Chiefs)
- Denver Broncos
- Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans)
- Los Angeles Chargers (now the San Diego Chargers)
- New York Titans (became the New York Jets)
- Oakland Raiders (now the Las Vegas Raiders)
Legacy[edit | edit source]
The AFL's impact on professional football is significant. It helped to popularize the sport across the United States and introduced many innovations that are still in use today. The league's competitive spirit and willingness to challenge the established NFL led to improvements in player salaries and conditions, as well as increased fan engagement.
Notable Players[edit | edit source]
The AFL was home to many legendary players, including:
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- "The American Football League: A Year-by-Year History, 1960–1969" by Ed Gruver
- "Going Long: The Wild Ten-Year Saga of the Renegade American Football League in the Words of Those Who Lived It" by Jeff Miller
External Links[edit | edit source]
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