|
The history of professional football began with two major leagues – the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). Since these two leagues competed in drafting outstanding football players in universities in the 1950s to 1960s, bidding wars became a huge problem by 1965 when University of Alabama's Joe Namath signed with the New York Jets (instead of NFL's Cardinals) for $427,000, the highest paid played by then.
Although NFL and AFL were major rivals, the two leagues made an agreement and decided on a merger, which pushed through in 1970. The AFL-NFL merger resulted in the yearly Super Bowl, which not only gave the winning team boasting rights, but also an advantage to get the first draft choice. Since then, the Super Bowl became a much-awaited and action-filled event, regardless of which teams are competing for the title.
Since then, the NFL has produced some of the greatest football players of all time. Remember the 1962 Packers with outstanding players like Vince Lombardi and Jim Taylor or the 1985 Bears when they finished the season with a 15-1 record? How about the 1999 Rams when they scored an amazing 526 points, ending the season with a 13-3 record? These games are the reason the NFL remains the most-attended sports in the U.S. today.
Last season, the New York Giants and the New England Patriots met at the Super Bowl XLII, where the Giants prevented the Patriots from grabbing another Super Bowl by winning 17-14. This season, the Super Bowl title is up for grabs as pro football teams aim to make another trip back to the Super Bowl. Get your NFL football early and be one of the thousands of people cheering for their favorite teams live!
|
