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AFL had profound impact on game
If not for the visionary innovations of Lamar Hunt, without the creation of the American Football League, America's de facto national holiday -- Super Sunday -- would not have come to fruition.The game fans now know as the Super Bowl was just one of a number of profound changes the AFL helped bring to the game of football. That begs the question: Without Hunt, where would pro football be today?
» Hunt's vision | 'For the good of pro football' | Opening doors | Call to the Hall
» Rivalries developed quickly | Innovative coaches made their mark | Cast of characters
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AFL-NFL feud simmers | The merger | How it changed the game
| AFL "Legacy Games" The 16 AFL Legacy Games that will be played this season (all times ET): Aug. 9: Hall of Fame Game, Titans 21, Bills 18 Sept. 14: Patriots 25, Bills 24 Sept. 14: Chargers 24, Raiders 20 Sept. 27: Jets 24, Titans 17 Oct. 11: Cowboys 26, Chiefs 20 (OT) Oct. 11: Broncos 20, Patriots 17 (OT) Oct. 18: Patriots 59, Titans 0 Oct. 19: Broncos 34, Chargers 23 Oct. 25: Chargers 37, Chiefs 7 Oct. 25: Jets 38, Raiders 0 Nov. 1: Dolphins 30, Jets 25 Nov. 15: Titans 41, Bills 17 Nov. 15: Chiefs 16, Raiders 10 Nov. 26: Cowboys 24, Raiders 7 Nov. 29: Bills 31, Dolphins 14 Dec. 6: Dolphins 22, Patriots 21 » More on 'Legacy Games' | 2009 NFL schedule Then and Now  Then and Now: Bills Buffalo fans can only hope that current QB Trent Edwards attains similar success as Jack Kemp.  Then and Now: Broncos Long before Brian Dawkins joined the Broncos, Goose Gonsoulin was the team's original ball hawk.  Then and Now: Chargers Keith Lincoln, the AFL's most dynamic multi-purpose threat, is similar to Darren Sproles.  Then and Now: Chiefs It took Len Dawson five seasons before he saw regular action; Matt Cassel is on a faster track.   Then and Now: Patriots Like Nick Buoniconti before him, Jerod Mayo aims to be the cornerstone of the defense.  Then and Now: Raiders Nnamdi Asomugha and Willie Brown are considered the top corners of their respective eras.  Then and Now: Titans/Oilers The Chris Johnson-LenDale White duo is a throwback to their Houston Oilers ancestors. Video  AFL vs. NFL feud The AFL forced a merger with the NFL, resulting in the Super Bowl and forever changing the game.  AFL-NFL merger When two competing leagues merged into one, the result was the greatest innovation in NFL history.  Super Bowl III Joe Namath and the Jets give the AFL its first Super Bowl win by shocking the favored Colts.  Super Bowl IV The Chiefs cap the AFL's final season with a second straight Super Bowl victory for the league.  Hadl and Alworth The 1960s Chargers boasted one of the greatest pass combos in pro football history.  Chiefs' 'backers Hank Stram's team featured one of the all-time best LB corps in pro football history. Remembering the AFL  True character The upstart AFL, most of all, should be memorialized for its wild and fun cast of characters. » Innovative, memorable coaches made their mark  50 years after Almost every element that makes pro football such a popular sport can be traced to the AFL. » The 'Foolish Club' | AFL statistical leaders  Best of the AFL Take a photographic look at the colorful decade of play in the American Football League.  AFL championship games Take an in-depth look at each of the championship games played in the AFL's 10-year history.  AFL's all-time team Chargers great Lance Alworth is one of many Hall of Famers on the all-AFL team. » All-offensive team | All-defensive team | Pro Football Hall of Fame  Here are players, coaches and owners from the American Football League who are now enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:Lance Alworth » 1978 inductee | Stats | Photos Bobby Bell » 1983 inductee | Stats | Photos Elvin Bethea » 2003 inductee | Stats | Photos Fred Biletnikoff » 1988 inductee | Stats | Photos George Blanda » 1981 inductee | Stats | Photos  Willie Brown » 1984 inductee | Stats | Photos Buck Buchanan » 1990 inductee | Stats | Photos Nick Buoniconti » 2001 inductee | Stats | Photos Larry Csonka » 1987 inductee | Stats | Photos Al Davis » 1992 inductee | Photos Len Dawson » 1987 inductee | Stats | Photos Weeb Ewbank » 1978 inductee | Photos Sid Gillman » 1983 inductee | Photos Bob Griese » 1990 inductee | Stats | Photos Ken Houston » 1986 inductee | Stats | Photos Lamar Hunt » 1972 inductee | Photos Charlie Joiner » 1996 inductee | Stats | Photos Willie Lanier » 1986 inductee | Stats | Photos  Larry Little » 1993 inductee | Stats | Photos John Madden » 2006 inductee | Photos Don Maynard » 1987 inductee | Stats | Photos Ron Mix » 1979 inductee | Stats | Photos Joe Namath » 1985 inductee | Stats | Photos Jim Otto » 1980 inductee | Stats | Photos Billy Shaw » 1999 inductee | Stats | Photos  Art Shell » 1989 inductee | Stats | Photos O.J. Simpson » 1985 inductee | Stats | Photos Jan Stenerud » 1991 inductee | Stats | Photos Hank Stram » 2003 inductee | Photos Emmitt Thomas » 2008 inductee | Stats | Photos Gene Upshaw » 1987 inductee | Stats | Photos Ralph Wilson » 2009 inductee | Photos | Gear up NFL Films chronicles the AFL  The AFL unearthed NFL Films unveils some never-before-seen game footage from the AFL's first seasons.  Playing fields Relive the unique homes of AFL teams, including War Memorial Stadium and Frank Yuell Field.  Hidden gems Take a look at the multitude of wild personalities and talented players who played in the AFL.  AFL's gimmicks The innovative AFL started a lot of things that are commonplace in the game to this day.  AFL-NFL feud simmers NFL Films recalls its first seasons covering AFL games as newly minted AFL Films.  AFL coaches wired The animated Hank Stram and inventive Sid Gillman -- both Hall of Famers -- are wired for sound.  The merger Not everybody favored the historic decision, but the AFL-NFL merger helped pro football flourish. The original eight The American Football League, circa 1960:  BOSTON PATRIOTS Home: Nickerson Field Coach: Lou Saban 1960 finish: 5-9 » Team history | Team gear  BUFFALO BILLS Home: War Memorial Stadium Coach: Buster Ramsey 1960 finish: 5-8-1 » Team history | Team gear  DALLAS TEXANS Home: Cotton Bowl Coach: Hank Stram 1960 finish: 8-6 » Team history | Team gear  DENVER BRONCOS Home: Mile High Stadium Coach: Frank Filchock 1960 finish: 4-9-1 » Team history | Team gear  HOUSTON OILERS Home: Jeppesen Stadium Coach: Lou Rymkus 1960 finish: 10-4, AFL champions » Team history | Team gear  LOS ANGELES CHARGERS Home: L.A. Memorial Coliseum Coach: Sid Gillman 1960 finish: 10-4, AFL runners-up » Team history | Team gear  NEW YORK TITANS Home: Polo Grounds Coach: Sammy Baugh 1960 finish: 7-7 » Team history | Team gear  OAKLAND RAIDERS Home: Kezar Stadium Candlestick Park Coach: Eddie Erdelatz 1960 finish: 6-8 » Team history | Team gear » American Football League history | Photo gallery |
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