Events in Sport
- 1937-09-10 2nd American Football League plays 1st game (LA 21, Pittsburgh 0)
- 1940-09-15 3rd American Football League plays 1st game (Milw 14, Columbus 2)
- 1950-03-03 National-American Football League reverts to calling itself the NFL after 3 months
- 1959-08-14 First (American Football League) meeting is held in Chicago; charter memberships handed to Dallas, NY, Houston, Denver, LA and Minneapolis-Saint Paul; 'AFL' named following week
- 1959-08-22 American Football League officially named at a meeting in Dallas, Texas; charter members Dallas, NY, Houston, Denver, LA and Minneapolis-Saint Paul
- 1959-10-28 American Football League awards Buffalo Bills franchise to Ralph C Wilson
- 1959-11-05 AFL announced with 8 teams
- 1959-11-16 Boston business executive Billy Sullivan is awarded eighth and final franchise of developing American Football League (AFL); later branded Boston Patriots
- 1959-11-22 American Football League (AFL) conducts its first draft in Minneapolis with the 8 clubs selecting their playing rosters for the inaugural 1960 season
- 1959-11-30 Joe Foss named 1st commissioner of AFL
Baugh 1st Titans' Coach
1959-12-18 Sammy Baugh named 1st coach of NY Titans (AFL)
- 1960-01-26 Oakland Raiders enter the American Football League
- 1960-02-09 AFL & NFL agree verbally to a no tampering pact
- 1960-06-09 ABC and AFL sign a 5 year contract
- 1960-07-30 1st AFL preseason game Boston Patriots defeat Bills in Buffalo (28-7)
- 1960-08-25 AFL begins placing players names on back of their jerseys
- 1960-09-09 Denver Broncos beat Boston Patriots, 13-10 in the American Football League's first game before 21,597 fans at Nickerson Field in Boston
- 1961-01-14 Chicago Bear Willard Dewveall becomes 1st NFLer to join AFL
- 1961-02-10 AFL's LA Chargers move to San Diego
Cannon Rush/Receiving Record
1961-12-10 Houston Oilers utility back Billy Cannon gains AFL record 373 yards combined rushing/receiving in 48-21 win over NY Titans at the Polo Grounds, NYC
- 1963-02-08 AFL's Dallas Texans become KC Chiefs
- 1963-03-28 AFL's NY Titan's become the NY Jets
- 1964-01-05 AFL Championship, Balboa Stadium, San Diego: San Diego Chargers beat Boston Patriots, 51-10; Chargers RB Keith Lincoln rushes for 206 yards, 2 TDs
- 1964-01-29 NBC purchases AFL 5 year (1965-69) TV rights for $36 million
Sports History
1964-11-01 Houston Oilers quarterback George Blanda attempts an AFL record 68 passes (37 completions) in 24-10 loss v Buffalo Bills at War Memorial Stadium
Sports History
1965-08-16 American Football League's 9th franchise is officially awarded to Joe Robbie and television star Danny Thomas; Miami Dolphins start play in AFL's Eastern Division in 1966
Sports History
1966-04-08 American Football League votes in 36-year-old Al Davis as commissioner after Joe Foss resigns; appointment lasts 3 months when AFL merges with NFL
- 1966-06-08 NFL & AFL announce merger plans, one league with two divisions (NFC and AFC) starting in 1970
AFL-NFL Merger
1966-11-08 President Lyndon B. Johnson signs anti-trust immunity to AFL-NFL merger
- 1967-05-24 AFL grants a franchise to Cincinnati Bengals
- 1967-08-05 First exhibition after AFL/NFL merger, Denver Broncos (AFL) surprise Detroit Lions (NFL), 13-7 at University of Denver
- 1971-12-25 Longest game in NFL history as Miami Dolphins beat KC Chiefs, 27-24 in 2OT in AFL playoff game; duration: 82 minutes and 40 seconds
- 1999-06-06 Sydney Swans Australian Rules Football forward Tony Lockett breaks Gordon Coventry's VFL/AFL career goals record with 1,300th major early in 145-94 win v Collingwood at the SCG
- 2022-03-25 Sydney forward Lance "Buddy" Franklin kicks 4 goals to become only 6th player in VFL/AFL history to kick 1,000 career goals; Swans overrun Geelong, 107-77 at the SCG
Birthdays in Sport
- 1904-09-01 Ray Flaherty, American Pro Football Hall of Fame end (NFL C'ship 1934 NY Giants; First-team All-Pro 1928, 29, 32) and coach (NFL C'ship 1937, 42 Washington Redskins), born in Lamont, Washington (d. 1994)
- 1906-08-06 Ken Strong, American College/Pro Football HOF fullback/halfback (NYU; NFL C'ship 1934 NY Giants; 4 × First-team All-Pro), born in West Haven, Connecticut (d. 1979)
- 1913-06-30 Harry Wismer, American sports broadcaster (NBC Blue Network, ABC, voice of Washington Redskins) and AFL team owner (NY Titans), born in Port Huron, Michigan (d. 1967)
- 1915-04-17 Joe Foss, American fighter ace, football executive (Medal of Honor-1943; first commissioner American Football League) and politician, born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (d. 2003)
George Blanda (1927-2010)
1927-09-17 American Pro Football HOF quarterback/placekicker (AFL C'ship 1960, 61 [MVP], 67; First-team All-AFL 1961; 4 × AFL All-Star; Chicago Bears, Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders), born in Youngwood, Pennsylvania
- 1931-11-30 Cotton Davidson, American football quarterback & punter (AFL All-Star 1961, 63; AFL All-Star Game MVP 1961; Baltimore Colts, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders), born in Gatesville, Texas (d. 2022)
- 1933-02-16 Elbert Dubenion, American football wide receiver and running back (AFL All Star 1964; Buffalo Bills), born in Griffin, Georgia (d. 2019)
- 1934-03-26 Gino Cappelletti, American football running back (AFL All-Star 1961, 63-66; AFL MVP 1964; Boston Patriots), born in Keewatin, Minnesota (d. 2022)
- 1935-01-25 Don Maynard, American Pro Football HOF wide receiver (Super Bowl 1969; First-team All-AFL 1968, 69; AFL All-Star 1965, 67–69; NY Titans/Jets), born in Crosbyton, Texas (d. 2022)
- 1935-05-25 Cookie Gilchrist, American football fullback (AFL All Star 1962-65; AFL MVP 1962; CFL All Star 1956-60), born in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania (d. 2011)
- 1935-10-04 Eldon Danenhauer, American football offensive tackle (AFL All Star 1962, 65; Denver Broncos 1960-65), born in Clay Center, Kansas (d. 2021)
- 1936-07-17 Bill Groman, American football wide receiver (All-AFL 1960; AFL C'ship 1960, 61, 64, 65; Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills), born in Tiffin, Ohio (d. 2020)
- 1936-12-31 Jerry Sturm, American football tackle (AFL All-Star 1964, 66; Denver Broncos, NO Saints), born in English, Indiana (d. 2020)
- 1937-02-04 Harry Jacobs, American football linebacker (AFL All Star 1965, 69; AFL C'ship 1964, 65 Buffalo Bills; Boston Patriots, NO Saints), born in Canton, Illinois (d. 2021)
- 1937-07-09 Clemon Daniels, American football halfback and AFL player of year 1963 (Oak, Dallas, San Francisco), born in McKinney, Texas
Billy Cannon (1937-2018)
1937-08-02 American College Football Hall of Fame back and tight end (Heisman Trophy 1959, LSU; AFL C'ship 1960, 61, 67; AFL All-Star 1961, 69; Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders), born in Philadelphia, Mississippi
- 1937-09-19 Abner Haynes, American AFL running back (AFL MVP 1960; Kansas City Chiefs), born in Denton, Texas
- 1937-11-05 Al Jamison, American football offensive lineman (AFL All Star 1961, 62; AFL C'ship 1960, 61; Houston Oilers), born in Toledo, Ohio (d. 2021)
- 1938-05-09 Walt Corey, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1962, 66; AFL All-Star 1963; Dallas Texans/KC Chiefs) and coach (KC Chiefs, Buffalo Bills), born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania (d. 2022)
- 1938-06-17 Wayne Hawkins, American football guard (5 × AFL All-Star 1963–1967; Oakland Raiders), born in Fort Peck, Montana (d. 2022)
- 1938-12-10 Bill Mathis, American football halfback (AFL All Star 1961, 63; New York Titans/Jets), born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina (d. 2020)
- 1939-01-08 Bob Talamini, American football guard (Super Bowl 1968 NY Jets; 3 × First-team All-AFL; 6 × AFL All-Star; Houston Oilers), born in Louisville, Kentucky (d. 2022)
- 1939-01-14 Fred Arbanas, American football tight end (All-AFL 1962–67; Super Bowl 1970; Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2021)
- 1939-11-13 Charley Ferguson, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965; AFL C'ship 1964, 65; Buffalo Bills), born in Dallas, Texas (d. 2023)
- 1940-02-22 Larry Eisenhauer, American football defensive end (AFL All-Star 1962, 63, 64, 66; Boston Patriots), born in Hicksville, New York (d. 2020)
- 1940-08-03 Lance Alworth, American College/Pro Football HOF wide receiver (Uni of Arkansas; Super Bowl 1971 Dallas Cowboys; 6 × First-team All-AFL; 7 × AFL All-Star; SD Chargers), born in Houston, Texas
- 1941-04-10 Mike Stratton, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1964, 65; AFL All-Star 1963–68; Buffalo Bills; NFL: SD Chargers), born in Vonore, Tennessee (d. 2020)
- 1941-07-17 Daryle Lamonica, American football quarterback (Pro Bowl 1970, 72; AFL MVP 1967, 69; Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills), born in Fresno, California (d. 2022)
- 1941-09-03 Dave Herman, American football offensive guard (Super Bowl 1969; AFL All-Star 1968, 69; All-AFL 1967, 68, 69; New York Jets), born in Bryan, Ohio (d. 2022)
- 1941-11-25 Kenny Graham, American football safety (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 68, 69 San Diego Chargers; Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Texarkana, Texas (d. 2023)
- 1942-02-16 Bob Hammond AM, Australian rules key defender (AFL Hall of Fame; North Adelaide; SA) and coach (Sydney Swans 1984), born in Perth, Australia (d. 2020)
- 1942-06-19 Willie Frazier, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 69; All-Pro 1965; Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers), born in El Dorado, Arkansas (d. 2013)
- 1943-03-07 Rick Redman, American College Football HOF linebacker (University of Washington; AFL All-Star 1967; San Diego Chargers), born in Portland, Oregon (d. 2022)
- 1943-11-10 George Sauer, Jr., American football wide receiver (AFL All Star 1996-99; Super Bowl 1969; New York Jets), born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin (d. 2013)
- 1944-04-12 Mike Garrett, American College Football Hall of Fame running back (Heisman Trophy 1965, USC; AFL All-Star 1966-67, KC Chiefs) and executive (athletic director USC 1993-2010), born in Los Angeles, CA
- 1945-08-28 Jim Lynch, American College Football HOF linebacker (Notre Dame; AFL–NFL World C'ship Game 1970; Kansas City Chiefs), born in Lima, Ohio (d. 2022)
- 1946-08-09 Jim Kiick, American football running back (Super Bowl 1972, 73; AFL All-Star 1968, 69; Miami Dolphins), born in Lincoln Park, New Jersey (d. 2020)
- 1947-12-24 Kevin Sheedy, Australian Football League coach (AFL Premiership 1984, 85, 93, 2000 Essendon FC; GWS FC), born in Melbourne, Australia
- 1968-06-19 Alastair Lynch, Australian rules football full forward-fullback (AFL Premiership 2001, 02, 03 Brisbane Lions; All-Australian Team 1993) and broadcaster (Fox Footy), born in Burnie, Australia
- 1973-08-23 James Roe, American football wide receiver (ArenaBowl C'ship 2002, 04, 07; 3 x AFL All-Ironman Team, San Jose SaberCats; Baltimore Ravens), born in Richmond, Virginia
- 1987-01-30 Lance "Buddy" Franklin, Australian AFL forward (AFL Premiership 2008, 13 Hawthorne FC; Sydney FC; 8 x All Australian; 4 x Coleman Medal), born in Perth, Australia
- 1988-07-19 Trent Williams, American AFL player (San Francisco 49ers), born in Longview, Texas
- 1989-04-03 Israel Folau, Australian Rugby League, Rugby Union, AFL player (dual international), born in Minto, New South Wales, Australia
Deaths in Sport
- 1967-12-04 Harry Wismer, American sports broadcaster (NBC Blue Network, ABC, voice of Washington Redskins) and AFL team owner (New York Titans), dies after a fall at 54
- 1991-11-21 David "Sonny" Werblin, AFL owner (NY Jets), dies at 81
George Blanda (1927-2010)
2010-09-27 American Pro Football HOF quarterback/placekicker (AFL C'ship 1960, 61 [MVP], 67; First-team All-AFL 1961; 4 × AFL All-Star; Chicago Bears, Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders), dies at 83
- 2011-01-10 Cookie Gilchrist, American football fullback (AFL All Star 1962-65; AFL MVP 1962; CFL All Star 1956-60), dies of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at 75
- 2013-05-07 George Sauer, Jr., American football wide receiver (AFL All Star 1996-99; Super Bowl 1969; New York Jets), dies from heart failure at 69
- 2013-09-05 Willie Frazier, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 69; All-Pro 1965; Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers), dies at 71
Billy Cannon (1937-2018)
2018-05-20 American College Football Hall of Fame back and tight end (Heisman Trophy 1959, LSU; AFL C'ship 1960, 61, 67; AFL All-Star 1961, 69; Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders), dies at 80
- 2019-12-26 Elbert Dubenion, American football wide receiver, running back (AFL All Star 1964; AFL C'ship 1964, 65 Buffalo Bills), dies from complications related to Parkinson's disease at 86
- 2020-01-29 Larry Eisenhauer, American football defensive end (AFL All-Star 1962, 63, 64, 66; Boston Patriots), dies at 79
- 2020-03-25 Mike Stratton, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1964, 65; AFL All-Star 1963–68; Buffalo Bills; NFL: SD Chargers), dies from heart complications at 78
- 2020-05-30 Bob Hammond AM, Australian rules key defender (AFL Hall of Fame; North Adelaide; SA) and coach (Sydney Swans 1984), dies from Parkinson's disease at 78
- 2020-06-17 Bill Groman, American football wide receiver (All-AFL 1960; AFL C'ship 1960, 61, 64, 65; Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills), dies at 83
- 2020-06-17 Jerry Sturm, American football tackle (AFL All-Star 1964, 66; Denver Broncos, NO Saints), dies from dementia at 83
- 2020-06-20 Jim Kiick, American football running back (Super Bowl 1972, 73; AFL All-Star 1968, 69; Miami Dolphins), dies from Alzheimer's disease at 73
- 2020-10-20 Bill Mathis, American football halfback (AFL All Star 1961, 63; New York Titans/Jets), dies at 81
- 2021-04-17 Fred Arbanas, American football tight end (All-AFL 1962–67; Super Bowl 1970; Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs), dies at 82
- 2021-05-01 Al Jamison, American football offensive lineman (AFL All Star 1961, 62; AFL C'ship 1960, 61; Houston Oilers), dies at 83
- 2021-06-23 Eldon Danenhauer, American football offensive tackle (AFL All Star 1962, 65; Denver Broncos 1960-65), dies at 85
- 2021-12-17 Harry Jacobs, American football linebacker (AFL All Star 1965, 69; AFL C'ship 1964, 65 Buffalo Bills; Boston Patriots, NO Saints), dies at 84
- 2022-01-10 Don Maynard, American Pro Football HOF wide receiver (Super Bowl 1969; First-team All-AFL 1968, 69; AFL All-Star 1965, 67–69; NY Titans/Jets), dies at 86
- 2022-05-12 Gino Cappelletti, American football running back (AFL All-Star 1961, 63-66; AFL MVP 1964; Boston Patriots), dies at 88
- 2022-05-30 Bob Talamini, American football guard (Super Bowl 1968 NY Jets; 3 × First-team All-AFL; 6 × AFL All-Star; Houston Oilers), dies at 83
- 2022-07-21 Jim Lynch, American College Football HOF linebacker (Notre Dame; AFL–NFL World C'ship Game 1970; Kansas City Chiefs), dies at 76
- 2022-07-28 Wayne Hawkins, American football guard (5 × AFL All-Star 1963–1967; Oakland Raiders), dies at 84
- 2022-09-30 Rick Redman, American College Football HOF linebacker (University of Washington; AFL All-Star 1967; San Diego Chargers), dies at 79
- 2022-10-19 Dave Herman, American football offensive guard (Super Bowl 1969; AFL All-Star 1968, 69; All-AFL 1967, 68, 69; New York Jets), dies of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at 81
- 2022-10-23 Walt Corey, American football linebacker (AFL C'ship 1962, 66; AFL All-Star 1963; Dallas Texans/KC Chiefs) and coach (KC Chiefs, Buffalo Bills), dies at 84
- 2022-12-23 Cotton Davidson, American football quarterback & punter (AFL All-Star 1961, 63; AFL All-Star Game MVP 1961; Baltimore Colts, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders), dies at 91
- 2023-02-14 Charley Ferguson, American football tight end (AFL All-Star 1965; AFL C'ship 1964, 65; Buffalo Bills), dies at 83
- 2023-12-11 Kenny Graham, American football safety (AFL All-Star 1965, 67, 68, 69 San Diego Chargers; Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers), dies at 82