The American Football League (AFL) is best known as a professional football league that operated from 1960-1969. However, the AFL was in existence prior to 1960, during the years of 1926, 1936-1937, and 1940-1941. From 1960-1969, the AFL enjoyed the bulk of its success and found itself in direct competition with the National Football League (NFL), with which it would merge in 1970. Even though the NFL and the AFL were rivals before the merger, the NFL considers the records set by AFL teams and players their own. American Football League records for the 1960-1969 seasons prior to the merger include statistics for yards passing, yards rushing, points scored, and Most Valuable Player awards. These records include single games, seasons, and careers. The records break down as follows:
The AFL's records for most passing yards include:
o George Blanda - Blanda holds the most passing yards in a single game with 464 yards on October 29, 1961 with the Houston Oilers. Blanda was the AFL's Most Valuable Player in 1961.
o Joe Namath - Namath recorded the most passing yards in the 1967 season with the New York Jets with a total of 4,007 yards. In the 1968 and 1969 seasons, Namath was named the AFL's Most Valuable Player.
o Jack Kemp - Kemp is credited with the most career passing yards with a total of 21, 130. His career spanned from 1960-1969 with the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills. Kemp was named the AFL's most valuable player in 1965.
The American Football League records for yard rushing include:
o Cookie Gilchrist - Credited with the most yards rushing in a single game, Gilchrist rushed for 243 yards on December 8, 1963 while with the Buffalo Bills. He was named the AFL's most valuable player in 1962.
o Jim Nance - Nance recorded the most yards rushing in a season with a total of 1,458 yards in 1966 with the Boston Patriots. He was the 1966 AFL Most Valuable Player.
o Clem Daniels - With the most career yards rushing, Daniels rushed for 5,101 yards from 1960-1967 while with the Dallas Texans and the Oakland Raiders. He was named the AFL's Most Valuable Player in 1963.
AFL records for most points scored are as follows:
o Gino Cappelletti - Cappelletti holds the record for the most points scored in a season and the most career point scored. Cappelletti scored 155 points in 1964 season, and was the AFL's most valuable player in 1964. During his career with the Boston Patriots, from 1960-1960, Cappelletti scored a total of 1,100 points.
American League Football records reflect the history and evolution of the game of football. While AFL greats may not be widely remembered or known, their records speak for themselves.
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