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American Football League teams

  • New York JetsOn the 14th of August 1959, Harry Wismer stood before a group of league founders and declared that New York was ready for another professional football team.
  • Tennessee TitansHouston oil tycoon Bud Adams founded the Houston Oilers in 1959 as one of eight charter members of the American Football League.
  • New England PatriotsOn the 16th of November 1959, Boston business executive Billy Sullivan received the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League.
  • Buffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills began competitive play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League. Head coach Buster Ramsey led the team through its first…
  • Miami DolphinsIn 1965, attorney Joe Robbie and actor Danny Thomas secured an American Football League franchise for $7.5 million. The region had not hosted a professional…
  • Las Vegas RaidersOn the 4th of April 1960, the Oakland Tribune announced that a local naming contest had selected "Oakland Señors" as the team's official name.
  • Cincinnati BengalsPaul Brown began planning for the creation of the Bengals franchise in 1965. Cincinnati's city council approved the construction of Riverfront Stadium in…
  • Los Angeles ChargersThe Los Angeles Chargers were established in 1959 as one of eight charter members of the American Football League. Barron Hilton, son of the hotel magnate…
  • Denver BroncosOn the 14th of August 1959, minor league baseball owner Bob Howsam received an American Football League charter franchise for Denver.
  • Kansas City ChiefsIn 1959, Lamar Hunt began talking with other businessmen about creating a professional football league to rival the National Football League.