History of The New York Jets

March 28, Five Take Over
A five-man syndicate — David A. "Sonny" Werblin, Townsend B. Martin, Leon Hess, Donald C. Lillis and Philip H. Iselin — purchased the New York franchise for $1 million.

April 15, Day Of Change
Werblin and the new owners changed the franchise's name from Titans to Jets. And the new owners named Weeb Ewbank, released by the Baltimore Colts, as the new coach and general manager of the team.

April 15, Name Game
On April 15, Werblin, the club's president and CEO, renamed the team the Jets. The reasons were twofold. At the time, the United States was entering the "Space" or "Jet" age. Commercial airlines were filling the air and soon there would be men walking on the moon. Also the Jets' new venue, Shea Stadium, would be located in Flushing Meadows, between LaGuardia and Idlewild (later renamed Kennedy) airports. Hence, the name New York Jets.

July 11, Happy Campers
The Jets moved to Peekskill (N.Y.) Military Academy for their first training camp.

September 8, Grand Reopening
The Patriots prevailed, 38-14, in the rechristened Jets' season opener at Boston College.

September 22, Home Sweet Home
Rookie Marsh Starks had a 97-yard touchdown return of a missed field goal and Mark Smolinski's TD run completed the fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Houston Oilers, 24-17, in the Jets' first home opener.

November 30, Snell Selected
Ohio State FB Matt Snell was chosen as the Jets' No. 1 draft choice. Snell, also drafted by the NFL's Giants, became the first No. 1 pick to sign with the Jets/Titans.

December 1, K.C. Masterpiece
The Jets recorded the first shutout in club history with a 17-0 blanking of the Chiefs at the Polo Grounds.