This Day in American History: September 9th - The First AFL Game Kicks Off (1960)
On September 9, 1960, the fledgling American Football League played its first-ever regular season game, as the Denver Broncos edged the Boston Patriots 13-10. The AFL had been formed the year before by a group of businessmen, led by Texas oilman Lamar Hunt, after they were rebuffed in their attempts to secure an NFL expansion franchise.
Rather than fold under the NFL's dominance, the upstart league leaned into innovation: it embraced a more wide-open passing game, put players' names on the backs of jerseys, and was among the first professional leagues to actively recruit players from historically Black colleges. Competition for players and fans between the two leagues grew fierce through the 1960s.
That rivalry eventually gave way to cooperation. In 1970, the AFL and NFL fully merged, and the AFL's ten franchises — including the Broncos, Jets, Chiefs, and Raiders — became part of the modern NFL. The AFL-NFL merger also created the championship game we now know as the Super Bowl.
A league built by outsiders who couldn't get a seat at the table ended up reshaping the entire sport — a reminder that competition tends to make everyone better.
Also on This Day in History
1776 — "United States" Becomes Official
The Second Continental Congress formally adopts "United States" as the name of the new nation, replacing "United Colonies."
1850 — California Joins the Union
California is admitted as the 31st state, following the gold rush that had rapidly swelled its population.
1956 — Elvis Hits Prime Time
Elvis Presley makes his first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," introducing his sound to a national television audience.
2009 — "You Lie!"
During a presidential address to Congress on health care, Rep. Joe Wilson shouts "You lie!" at President Obama, an unprecedented breach of decorum.
2013 — "Bridgegate" Begins
Traffic lanes near the George Washington Bridge are mysteriously closed, triggering days of gridlock and a political scandal in New Jersey.
Competition built the modern NFL. What other American industries were shaped by an underdog challenger? Tell us in the comments.
Source: history.com/this-day-in-history/september-9
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