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• the American Football League was founded in 1960 as an alternative to the NFL. The two leagues were rivals until 1969, when they merged.

  The NFL is honoring the 50th anniversary of the AFL in the 2009 season with 16 legacy games, which will include eight original AFL teams playing games in throwback jerseys.NFL.com: NFL Announces 2009 AFL 'Legacy Games'

• Fast Facts

  1. Established: 1959
  2. First season: 1960
  3. First commissioner: Joe Foss
  4. First president: Lamar Hunt
  5. Number of teams: 8 (1960-1965), 9 (1966-1967), 10 (1968-1969)
  6. Merger announced: June 8, 1966
  7. Last season: 1969

• The First Eight Teams

  • Boston Patriots
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Houston Oilers
  • New York Titans / Jets
  • Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs
  • Denver Broncos
  • Oakland Raiders
  • Los Angeles / San Diego Chargers.

• Relocation And New Teams

  The Chargers relocated to San Diego and in 1963, the Texans relocated to Kansas City. By 1966, the American Football League tried to recruit NFL players. In 1966, the Miami Dolphins joined the league and in 1967, the first ever championship was played between the NFL and AFL. In the first two Super Bowls, the Green Bay Packers of the NFL defeated the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders of the AFL.

• The Last Seasons

  Following the 1967 season, the Cincinnati Bengals joined the league. Joe Namath of the Jets guaranteed a victory in Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts, and the Jets won, 16-7.Supernfl.com: Super Bowl III The following season the Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the Super Bowl.Supernfl.com: Super Bowl IV The final game of the league was the AFL All-Star Game on January 17, 1970.mmbolding.com: The 1970 AFL All-Star Game

• League Champions

  • Dallas Texans: 1962, 1966, 1969CBSSports: The American Football League
  • Houston Oilers: 1960, 1961CBSSports:The American Football League
  • Buffalo Bills: 1964, 1965CBSSports:The American Football League
  • San Diego Chargers: 1963CBSSports:The American Football League
  • Oakland Raiders: 1967CBSSports:The American Football League
  • New York Jets: 1968CBSSports:The American Football League

• Related Mahalo Pages

  National Football League | Al Davis | Oakland Raiders | San Diego Chargers | Kansas City Chiefs | New York Jets | Joe Namath | Cincinnati Bengals | Miami Dolphins | Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots | Tennessee Titans | Denver Broncos | 2009 NFL Schedule | NFL Legacy Games | AP College Football Poll | San Diego Chargers

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