The American Football Conference was formed in July 1959 with the assistance of
National Football League commissioner
Bert Bell. It was an association of
American football clubs that operated from 1959 to 1961 that were mostly based in
Ohio, but had some teams from
Pennsylvania,
New Jersey,
Michigan, and
Canada. During its existence the AFC operated between
semi-professional and
minor league level (varied per team). After playing as a semi-professional league for the 1959 and 1960 seasons, the AFC became a minor professional league for the 1961 season. The
Columbus Colts played in the AFC in 1960, then left to help form the
United Football League in 1961. A new franchise called the Ohio Colts replaced Columbus in the AFC for 1961. and
Duquesne Ironmen that would join the United Football League and the
Atlantic Coast Football League (respectively) and the
Sarnia Golden Bears that had survived the collapse of the
Ontario Rugby Football Union. Sarnia won the AFC's last championship after beating Toledo in three overtimes, the longest title game in pro football history.
1959 1960 Larry Buckles (HB, Columbus) was the offensive MVP, Stan Jones (LB, Columbus) was the defensive MVP.
1961 Championship Game: Sarnia 39, Toledo 33 (3OT) ==References==