Aug 16, 2026, 1:30 PM CUT

When Clark Hunt revealed how a Giants vs Colts game inspired his father to ultimately launch the AFL in 1960

NFL, American Football Herren, USA 2024: Bengals vs Chiefs SEP 15 September 15, 2024: Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. David Smith/CSM Credit Image: Â David Smith/Cal Media Kansas City Mo United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20240915_zma_c04_302.jpg DavidxSmithx csmphotothree295343

Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt has opened up about how a game between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants inspired his father and sports pioneer, the late Lamar Hunt, to form the American Football League (AFL) in 1960.

Hunt appeared on the Intersections Podcast with Tom Leppert and Kyle Waldrep, discussing how Lamar got the idea to invest in football, which eventually led him to launch the AFL.

"In December of 1958, he was watching the NFL championship game on TV between the Giants and the Colts," Hunt said. "And he was actually in a hotel room in Houston when he watched the game, and he said, 'You know what? This game televises really well, and that might be important.' Which would be one of the all-time understatements."

MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and family pose prior to the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Honors on February 1, 2020 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, FL. Photo by Rich Graessle/PPI/Icon Sportswire NFL: FEB 01 NFL Honors Red Carpet Icon200201368

Hunt discussed the impact of that game on the Intersection Podcast via YouTube on October 20, 2025. The Colts defeated the Giants 23-17 to win their first championship ever.

Lamar, a passionate football player who played for Southern Methodist University. He later approached the NFL about owning a franchise in Dallas, his hometown.

But after getting rejected by the NFL several times for two reasons, that the NFL didn't want to expand the league at the time and that they said Dallas was a "horrible market for pro football," Lamar went on to form the AFL.

But before the AFL's inaugural season, Lamar and his allies took several steps to form the league. What were those steps, and which franchises joined later on in the league?

What steps did Lamar Hunt and his allies take to form the AFL

The AFL consisted of seven members representing six teams.

Hunt represented the Dallas Texans; Bob Howsam represented the Denver Broncos; K.S. (Bud) Adams represented the Houston Oilers. (Tennessee Titans), according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Furthermore, Barron Hilton represented the Los Angeles Chargers; Max Winter and Bill Boyer represented the Minneapolis franchise; and Harry Wismer represented the New York City Titans (New York Jets).

Later, on October 28, 1959, and November 22, Ralph Wilson and William H. Sullivan joined, representing the Buffalo Bills and the Boston Patriots (New England Patriots), respectively.

The first inaugural season game took place on September 9, 1960, with the Denver Broncos defeating the Boston Patriots 13-10. But after five years, the AFL and the NFL merged on June 8, 1966.

The merger happened because both leagues held separate drafts and bought players for hefty sums, prompting the decision.

Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Rudra Dubey