American Football League (AFL)

History: 1960-1969 (10 seasons)

American Football League (AFL)

History 1960-1969 (10 seasons)

Leagues / Football / AFL

The AFL began in relative obscurity but eventually thrived, with an initial television contract with the ABC network. The AFL's existence forced the conservative NFL to expand to Dallas and Minnesota in an attempt to destroy the new league. Meanwhile, the AFL introduced many new features: official time on the scoreboard clock, optional two-point conversions by pass or run after touchdowns; names on the jerseys of players, and including expansion of the role of minority players actively recruited by the league in contrast to the NFL. The AFL also signed several star college players that had also been drafted by NFL teams. The bidding war for players ended in 1966, when NFL owners approached the AFL regarding a merger. This agreement provided for a common draft that would take place each year, and it instituted an annual World Championship game, known as the Super Bowl. In 1970 the AFL became the AFC within the NFL.

League Champions

Year Team Coach

1969 Kansas City Chiefs Stram

1968 New York Jets Ewbank

1967 Oakland Raiders Rauch

1966 Kansas City Chiefs Stram

1965 Buffalo Bills Saban

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#1 Draft Pick

Year Player Team

1966 Jim Grabowski RB Dolphins

1965 Joe Namath QB Jets

1964 Jack Concannon QB Patriots

1963 Buck Buchanan DT Chiefs

1962 Roman Gabriel QB Raiders

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League Executives

Tenure Name Title

1966-69 Pete Rozelle (NFL) Commissioner

1966-69 Milt Woodard (AFL) League President

1966 Al Davis (AFL) Commissioner

1960-65 Joe Foss Commissioner

1959 Lamar Hunt League Founder

League Champions

#1 Draft Pick

League Executives

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