HB Dewey Bohling on the fly in '61
The NFL announced today the 16 AFL Legacy Games that will be played during the 2009 NFL season.
This marks the 50th season for the eight original American Football League teams. As part of the celebration, those eight AFL teams will wear historic uniforms during Legacy Games.
Eleven Legacy Games will be matchups between the eight original AFL teams. The other five Legacy Games include the Dallas Cowboys playing the "Dallas Texans" in Kansas City (Oct. 11, 1 p.m. ET) and the Oakland Raiders visiting the Dallas Cowboys in the Raiders' first Thanksgiving game since 1970 (Nov. 26, 4:15 p.m.). In addition, three of the Legacy Games feature the Miami Dolphins, who joined the AFL in 1966.
To kick off the slate of Legacy Games, the Bills will take on the Tennessee Titans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on Sunday, Aug. 9. The game will be televised nationally by NBC at 8 p.m.
On Monday night, Sept. 14, ESPN will host a Monday Night Football doubleheader that will be part of the NFL's celebration of the 50th anniversary season of the AFL. The four clubs competing that night began playing in the inaugural 1960 AFL season.
The first game (7 p.m.) will send the Buffalo Bills to Foxboro to visit the New England Patriots, the decade's winningest team (102-42 since 2000). The MNF nightcap (10:15 p.m.) will be an AFC West battle between the host Oakland Raiders and the three-time defending division champ San Diego Chargers.
The American Football League, which merged with the NFL in 1970, played its first season in 1960 with eight teams. The original eight AFL teams were the BUFFALO BILLS, DENVER BRONCOS, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (played as the Dallas Texans), NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (played as the Boston Patriots), NEW YORK JETS (played as the Titans of New York), OAKLAND RAIDERS, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS and TENNESSEE TITANS (played as the Houston Oilers). The MIAMI DOLPHINS became the ninth AFL franchise and played its first game in 1966. The CINCINNATI BENGALS followed as the 10th AFL team playing its first game in 1968.
The Jets' three Legacy Games are Sept. 27 vs. the Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers), Oct. 25 at the Oakland Raiders, and Nov. 1 vs. the Miami Dolphins.
The NFL and clubs are planning to celebrate the 50th AFL season with numerous events this year.
NFL Network, NFL.com and NFL Films will also commemorate the 50th season with unique content and programming highlighting the history of the AFL and the original eight teams.
A "legacy" collection, featuring new retro-themed apparel and products, will be introduced this summer and will be available on NFLShop.com and at other retail locations. Among the merchandise offered will be jerseys, hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets and pennants.
Game-worn jerseys and signed memorabilia will be auctioned at NFL Auctions throughout the season with the monies raised going to the NFL Player Care Foundation.
