September 9, 1960 – It was the dawn of a whole new era of professional football. When the Denver Broncos met and defeated the Boston Patriots, 13-10 in the American Football League’s first game, it put the NFL on notice that some things were going to change.
The contest was held in front of 21,597 fans at Nickerson Field in Boston as the AFL pushed pro football to new heights in the coming decade including National TV contracts, paying players better, and an eventual merger of the two leagues creating the sports world’s greatest championship game, the Super Bowl.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

Sports History On This Day: May 13
May 13, 1905 – World heavyweight boxing champion James J. Jeffries retired undefeated after 7 title defenses.

The Legend of Taro Tsujimoto and the 1974 NHL Draft
Drafts have been going on now in professional sports leagues for decades and occasionally,

Sports History On This Day: May 12
May 12, 1979 – Women’s tennis star Chris Evert Lloyd had her amazing run of 125 matches

Sports History On This Day: May 11
May 11, 1893 – Early bicycle enthusiast, Henri Desgrange, established the very first bicycle world record, traveling

Where It All Started: The Brickyard
In this inaugural episode of “Tim Coffeen Talks Indy Car and Racing History,” Tim

1970s New York Yankees World Series Hangover
From 1976 to 1978, the New York Yankees won three American League Pennants and

Sports History On This Day: May 10
May 10, 1967 – We all probably remember Hammerin’ Hank Aaron for his launching balls over the

From NFL Legends to Canadian Coaches
Back in 1920, center, George Trafton of the Decatur Staleys was so despised, that