The American Football League: A History of Innovation and Rivalry
The Birth of the AFL
In 1959, a group of eight ambitious entrepreneurs, known as the “Foolish Club,” challenged the dominance of the National Football League (NFL) by forming the American Football League (AFL). Among them were Texas millionaires Lamar Hunt and Bud Adams Jr., who had been denied entry into the NFL.
The AFL’s Innovative Approach
The AFL quickly distinguished itself from the NFL with its innovative approach to the game. Unlike the NFL’s conservative focus on ball control and running, the AFL embraced the passing game, allowing quarterbacks to throw downfield and take more chances. This high-risk, high-reward style of play proved to be exciting for fans and helped the AFL gain popularity.
Key Innovations
Beyond its exciting gameplay, the AFL also introduced several innovations that would later be adopted by the NFL. These included:
- Putting names on the back of players’ jerseys
- Making the scoreboard clock official
- Offering the two-point conversion
- Recruiting African-American players
Impact on the NFL
The AFL’s success forced the NFL to change its ways. The NFL began recruiting more African-American players, adopting the AFL’s scoreboard clock, and experimenting with the two-point conversion. The rivalry between the two leagues reached its peak in 1965 with a bidding war for players that resulted in record-breaking contracts.
The AFL’s Legacy
In 1966, the AFL and NFL merged, creating a single, unified professional football league. However, the AFL’s legacy continues to this day. The league’s innovative offense, developed by Sid Gillman, became the foundation for many successful coaching trees, including Bill Walsh, Al Davis, Chuck Noll, and Mike Holmgren. These coaches have combined to win 20 Super Bowls.
The “NFL Rejects”
One of the keys to the AFL’s success was its ability to attract talented players who had been overlooked by the NFL. George Blanda, Don Maynard, Len Dawson, and Charlie Hennigan are just a few examples of players who thrived in the AFL and went on to become Pro Football Hall of Famers.
The Rivalry Lives On
Even today, the rivalry between the former AFL and NFL teams remains strong. Former AFL players like George Blanda and Charlie Hennigan still proudly identify with the league that gave them their start. They believe that the AFL was a better show than the NFL and that its legacy of innovation and excitement will never be forgotten.