I was all about football as a kid in the 70s. A guy at a local indoor flea market sold old cards and I LOVED that '62 football set. I had Tarkenton's rookie, Jim Brown, Bart Starr etc. I let a lot of nice cards go for $50 my sophomore year, and none more painful than those '62 football cards. Always love your stories!
I love the 62 set. I don't know the history of prewar cards as well, but I believe it is the first post war set with black borders. I did a video awhile back on how Topps used colored borders on all three issues in 1962. Baseball had the faux wood, hockey had the beautiful blue and football had the striking black. I love the creativity employed at the time. Hopefully, you can get a few of the 62s back in your collection if you haven't already done so. I am glad you enjoy the stories. Take care!
Fantastic share Terry. Really like the Billy Cannon and Abner Haynes images. Love seeing some Len Dawson. AFL i have very little knowledge about, so it is really awesome to hear some of these stories. Always enjoy Terry and thanks for sharing with us hope you are having a great week buddy and enjoy your weekend.
Thanks Steve. There is no video I don’t like doing or else I wouldn’t do it, but I especially like enjoy watching these AFL videos and going through my magazines. Ii hope you have a great weekend too.
Hello Terry , i enjoyed a lots to look at the cards and learn about the AFL history. I like a lots the looking of this 1960 Fleer Abner Haynes card. Thanks Terry for sharing and Happy Telling.
Great background. This video is shows exactly what we talked about with the combination of history, passion, story and wonder within our cards. It’s more than just a history lesson to me but rather a history exploration that help create more of the foundation that our collecting is built upon.
Thanks Drew! Well stated. I feel the same way when I dig a little deeper into the league and these players lives and careers. It is one of the most amazing stories in sports that the AFL was able to compete and then get a merger.
Another great one Terry! I like the concept of using the cards as tools to inform and teach about the player and the times they played in. Beautiful colors in these cards! It’s like going to my two favorite classes in school (art & history) at the same time! Thank you Terry!
great video as usual Mr chairman ,on the history of some of the players in the AFL, I like hearing about other teams and players other than the Boston Patriots, it's very informative. I always learn something from you and for that I'm grateful. health and happiness always.. Jonathan... AKA the Boston kid
Thanks Jonathan! I am learning right along with you which adds to the fun of it. The cards are great but the world they open up is even better. Mike Holovak the Patriots coach seemed like such a nice guy.
Great video Terry. Really like the image of Cannon and Haynes. Cannon and Powell were great players with the raiders and imprinted in my memory banks is the image of Nameth sitting on the locker room bench in red silk underwear looking down at the floor as I walked by him after a 24-14 loss to the Raiders in '65. Priceless memory.
Really cool little history lesson. Of course your cards are beauties. Love the story about Abner Haynes and his pops and his card (and all those 60 fleers) are so great.
Terry you have great knowledge of the history of the game of football. Many nice cards you have but my favorite design the 1962 Football. How great it would be if that was a baseball design? Dawson was a favorite of mine in 1970.
Thanks Dan! I love the history of both baseball and football, so I enjoy putting this type of content out. Like I said in my video, cards can be used as a teaching tool. Yes, the 62 Topps Football is a beautiful set. I think it is the first mainstream issue to have a black border.
Love those old Dell Sports magazines, and all the cards...but I'll always be partial to Dandy Don Meredith. Great episode and history of the AFL. Thanks Terry.
Thanks Mike! Dandy Don was a heck of a quarterback but an even bigger character of the game. That magazine is rich with interesting stories. I will share more in the future. Take care.
Terry really great cards and information about the AFL. The Billy Cannon is amazing, great pose, color and it's really cool seeing him in the LSU uni. We are starting to see modern cards like that today with the players college uni's on an NFL card. Loved see that Namath card. He's a player I'd like to collect way more of as he's from Pittsburgh and we attended the same University. Funny story about Haynes and Layne. Thanks for sharing the cards and stories.
Hi Mike, I am glad you enjoyed. I am a fan of the artwork and photo on the Cannon card too. I was looking to add that one for a while. There are so many great quarterbacks from Pennsylvania. That is pretty cool you went to the University of Alabama like Broadway Joe.
First off TJ…you nailed Abner’s dad’s deep imposing voice! No doubt your kids listen to you. I think that card might be the coolest football card I’ve ever seen. I love the 76 Topps Gregg Pruitt but this Abner Haynes might have it beat. Interesting to hear about Len Dawson’s journey. Was not aware of the Cleveland days and car crash. You’re the #1 content provider on AFL players, facts and fiction. 💪🏽
I appreciate that you like my impersonation of Abner’s dad. One of my favorite stories. I love that card too. I don’t know a lot about Dawson’s time in Cleveland until I got that magazines. I knew of Milt Plum’s success.
I was in my teens when this NFL/AFL struggle for dominance took place & it provided a lot of drama for the first 5-6 years. In the beginning I was pro-NFL as I wanted football to stay status quo but it was hard to ignore players such as Kemp, Lamonica, Alworth, Maynard & of course, Namath. I recall the AFL games were broadcast on NBC & CBS had the NFL. It was a great time to be a football fan.
Hi Gary, I wasn’t alive yet but I could see myself being a loyalist to the NFL at first too. I would have questioned the quality of football. Though, having a team in Buffalo would have intrigued me. I did live through the USFL and didn’t watch much of it. I wish I had. Thank you for sharing your reflections from the time. It is amazing how the league persevered and ended up getting a merger. The Giants signing Pete Gogolak from the Bills sped it up.
Great episode Terry! I always learn something new about the AFL whenever I watch one of these. Love the Abner Hayes card and story of how he signed with the AFL. When my friends and I first started playing fantasy football 45 years ago Street and Smith was the magazine we used also, it was the Bible back then! Can’t wait to hear how the all time greats at the time rank Unitas in a future video. Have a great weekend!
Hi Steve! I smiled when I saw your Cannon because I was working on this AFL video at the time. That is a great card for your collection. A historically important figure in the league but I also like that he was such a big deal in college football at the time. Having him in his LSU uniform on the card adds to the story. I can see where Street and Smith’s would be a great resource prior to Fantasy Magazines. I have Cannon and Haynes from the set, now I want to add the Paul Lowe rookie. Another beautiful card. Take care
Terry, you do a better job explaining the history of this league and the origins of its players better than anywhere else I’ve ever seen! Definitely a different time and place but such a rich history. Thanking for sharing this once again!
20th like - Really nice episode, Terry. Enjoy hearing about the history. Really neat to see the 1960 Fleer cards too. A nice set I don't see very often.
Terry great to see you going back to the AFL. Big fan of these videos as all we really hear in the media is the Super Bowl era which is not fair in my opinion. Love the color and clarity of your cards. Glad to see you are continuing this series
Thanks Sammy! I am glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, the pre-Super Bowl era is not nearly as publicized, but there also doesn't seem to be as much interest. Oh well, I enjoy it and I am glad there are others like yourself that do too.
As I recall, the USFL was built similarly in that they drafted or had rights regionally. I remember thinking that My Huskers and the Sooners would be on the same team (The Breakers). If they relied on publications, I wonder if a writer who may have been biased in some way may have exaggerated the talent of the player they were writing about. Perhaps they would have done so to raise their pro stock. Every time you show a George Blanda card, I think of my dad. My dad was a Packers fan, but had a lot of respect for Blanda and still talks about him today. You have an amazing collection of magazines. Enjoyed your story on Haynes. - Drew
Hi Drew, I believe you are correct about the USFL having territorial drafts. The teams had rights to certain in state colleges to pick players. The AFL version was a little different, but the objective was the same. I am sure some of the writers were bias whether it was intentional or not, who knows. It is a good question. Your dad has good taste in football players with Blanda. I am not so sure about the Packers though. Haha
Hey Terry! I was literally thinking the other day about when you’d put out another AFL video. I was pretty happy when I saw this week’s title. Although I am looking forward to what 10 all-time greats have to say about Unitas. Sounds like the AFL’s drafts were much more organized than the ABA’s. Although seems like the AFL was much more organized than the ABA. Really interesting how Mayfield, Lowe, and Powell all were cut from the NFL but wearing the jerseys on their 61 cards. The Abner Hayes story was great. I didn’t know that at all. I never commitment you enough on your collection and I apologize for that. I usually marvel at the cards but get too caught up listening to the story. Great job researching this and delivering the information, Terry! I really enjoy this series. Have a great weekend!
Hi Andy! That is funny you were thinking about this series. I was thinking I haven't done one since around Thanksgiving. I was thinking about how I wanted to present this episode. I like to change things up to keep my videos fresh and interesting. I am not as knowledgeable about the ABA drafts, but as Drew from Clean Cheap Shots pointed out there were some similarities to the USFL process. I like the Maynard, Lowe and Powell cards in their NFL jerseys. That captures what was going on at the time when the AFL was formed. It is amazing how these players thrived in the AFL when given the opportunity. No worries about commenting as often on the cards as much. I am glad the stories draw you in. That is important to me. I always look forward to your comments. Have a great weekend Andy!
This was such a great episode, full of interesting information. Fantastic cards Terry. I really like the 60 Fleer design, simple but effective. Have a great rest of the day my friend.
Thanks Doug! I am glad you enjoyed. I like to talk about football as much as baseball. I grew up with both games being a big part of my life. Take care.
Hi Terry: This was a great review of the AFL. That Len Dawson card looks like it was taken in his Browns uniform. I also never knew Hank Stram was his college coach as well. Didn't Don Maynard play for the Giants during the 1958 NFL Championship game? He was a great player. The AFL gave these guys their shots. Love the story of the teams depending on magazines to help them make their draft picks. I think the NBA may have had some type of territorial draft in the 1960's. I think that's how the Lakers drafted Gail Goodrich from UCLA. I like the color background and that they used their college uniform images in those 1960 Fleer cards. Great recap of the early days of the AFL, Terry. The AFL really made the post 1970 NFL a great league. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Rick, I am glad you enjoyed the video. I am not sure how the NBA did the draft in those days. The USFL did it similar to the AFL. I do not believe Maynard played in the 1958 Championship game. If he did, there are no statistics available. He was cut by the Colts in 59. He then had a very short stint in the CFL. When the AFL was formed the New York Titans head coach Sammy Baugh knew of Maynard from college and contacted him for a tryout. He was the first player the Titans signed. I believe he was teaching and tending bar at the time. I don’t typically share all the stories because I don’t want the videos to be too long, but I find the AFL fascinating. You might be right that the Dawson photo on the 64 Topps could be from the Browns. Topps was known to do it. Take care
Another great AFL episode Terry. Thanks for the great info. I agree about the super Abner Haynes pose in that 1960 Fleer card. I really enjoy poses like that in these vintage football cards. // By the way, I know we have discussed this before, but magazines like that are great. It is really the only way of learning the mindset in that time period.
Hi George, the dynamic poses like the Haynes are some of my favorites too. It shows the athleticism and gracefulness of these athletes. Just a classic football photo. The magazines tell the story of the day. Thanks, my friend.
Great video Terry. Super information on some great NFL players. Fantastic looking cards. Nice Abner Haynes addition. I recently sent him a TTM request. I hope that I hear back. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed as always.
Hi Terry! Sweet Pro Football magazine! Would be interesting to hear what the great players of the day thought about Unitas! I like that teams lost a draft pick if the player went to the other league, teams need to sharpen their pencils and give the player a great offer! I didn’t know that Len Dawson was drafted by the Steelers! Great looking cards! Love the Abner Haynes pickup and the story of his father telling him to play for the Texans! The history of the AFL and NFL certainly is a great and interesting story!
Hi Jim! Yes, that is a great magazine. I will definitely share the Unitas story in the future. I could spend an hour on that magazine. haha. There were a lot of players that were lost to the NFL or AFL during that period. It is pretty interesting looking back the drafts and imagining Joe Namath on the Cardinals, Gale Sayers on the Chiefs and Dick Butkus on the Broncos. The Steelers once had Unitas, Dawson and Kemp and lost all three. Haha. Take care
Hi Terry - wonderful video! I went back and watched all the episodes. Very informative and it got me excited for AFL cards. I just put a 1961 Lionel Taylor in my eBay cart 😀
Thanks so much. I appreciate you going back and watching the past episodes. There were so many wonderful stories and players in the AFL. The 1961 Lionel Taylor is a fantastic card with him decked out in that garish Broncos uniform. Nice choice.
My childhood was in the 80s/early 90s (born in 1979) so I missed out on 60s and 70s football so thanks again so much for doing the research and presenting the history of that era with great stories to tell and cards to show.
What a great magazine for this episode. You know I love this AFL series, and this is another great one! I loved hearing more about the beginnings of the league. The Billy Cannon image is great and I love the '62 Meredith. How would that be at the Rams to have to forfeit the number one pick when Canon went to the AFL. Things like that would be pretty intense for organizations (and fans), I'm sure! Great first card of Blanda. That's one of my wish list cards. I realized recently I don't have a single playing days card of Namath. I'll have to change that one of these days 😁 when I think AFL, he sure comes to mind. This was great! Thanks so much for putting this together 👍👍
Hi Brian! I am glad you enjoyed it. I wanted to dig a little more into the league itself. Then show a couple of new additions (Haynes and Mix) and talk about why they matter. Haynes was an explosive runner with good hands. Now I want to find the 1960 Paul Lowe rookie which is another beautiful card. You can’t go wrong adding any Namath cards. He is one of my favorites to collect. Unfortunately he doesn’t have any cards from 74 to 77. I love the 54 and 64 Blanda next to each other. Similar type photos and you can see how he looks a decade later. Thanks Brian!
@@tjmacvintagecardsnostalgia648 yeah I wish a Namath had more cards. The later 70's cards would be more affordable lol. Good luck with the Paul Lowe, that'd be great!
Aloha Terry ! Love that AFL Series. I like to see which players you talk about are in the East-West Shrine Game programs. You showed some really nice cards. C Ya !
Great info as always Terry. I’m guessing that photo of Don Meredith on the magazine is when he was at SMU? I’m not sure I have ever seen him in an SMU uniform before. The 1961 Topps and 1969 Fleer look wonderful together and that Abner Haynes is one beautiful looking card! That orange background really draws the green out and that pose is just super! You have a great eye for quality. I don’t know if I knew this before and didn’t pay attention or if I’m just late to the party but I was just now learning that Len Dawson completed the first pass in Super Bowl history. I guess it had to be him or Starr but I don’t think I ever put it together until now. Completed it to Chris Burford who was a really good player in his own right and was the first person to sign an AFL contract. Well done Terry
Thanks Chris. I didn't know that about Len Dawson and Burford. I haven't seen a color photo of Meredith in his SMU uniform before either. This magazine was a lot of fun to read. There is a photo on the back inside page of Leo "The Lion" Nomellini vs. "Big Daddy" Lipscomb. I could make these videos longer because there is so much interesting info but I don't want it to be too long. For example, I read in the article that originally Ralph Wilson wanted his franchise in Miami rather than Buffalo. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Hey there, Terry! Extremely good video, my friend. This video will be a very nice addition to your collection videos centering around the AFL. It was while searching this very topic on TH-cam the subject brought forth your content and my first contact w what you do here. Really enjoyed your magazine addition and Len Dawson share. Great player just poetry in motion. The card looks amazing. Those white boarders and white smile. Kudos! How about that! Dividing the AFL into pre and post Broadway Joe! Love the Jets whole design and color scheme and whatta card. Jealousy and Envy are somethings the best of us are capable of but in this case we only feel admiration for your collection and gratitude you present so kindly. Terrific Let me finally add that I think videos like this that provide very good and clear content on subjects that aren't as focused on as the AFL cards provide great value and a helpful service to those of that want to know more and the cards of this ten yr time frame in football. Rest assured that people searching the subject will find their way here. Have a very healthy and inspiring month of March, Terry!
Hi Avian! I am glad you enjoyed this installment of my AFL series. It has been a little while since I did an episode, but I wanted to wait until I finished my research for this episode. I am glad this series allowed us to connect through the community. Yeah, the Broadway Joe split just came to me. There was five years with him and five without. He was a huge impact to the league and New York. During his time, the Jets supplanted the Giants as the most interesting football team in New York. How much fun to see both the Jets and Mets win in 1969. Thank you for the kinds words about my collection and presentation. I have enjoyed piecing it together over the last two and half decades. As always, your comments are eloquent, thought provoking and bring a smile to my face. Take care, Terry
Useful to think about collecting a continuity of football cards thru this lense. NFL Football in its current form didn’t exist until that merger. The league was threatened by upstarts thru the 80s w USFL, and whole there are still minor competitors today, the full gait of the modern NFL and the collectible market feels like a golden age of sorts to me!
It is a lot of fun to collect football cards from this era. The AFL vs. NFL is fascinating. Both leagues had a lot of great players. Unfortunately, the players that played their careers exclusively in the AFL do not get the recognition they deserve. Unlike, the USFL and AAFC, the AFL stats count as part of the NFL due to the leagues merging. Thanks for the comment.
No, they didn’t. Bobby Layne was a good trade for them but it may not have been necessary if Dawson or Unitas had been given a chance. Though, you never know how they would’ve done.
Steelers sure did draft a lot of good players they didn’t seem to think were good. Of course Johnny U and Dawson were the biggest screw ups next to passing up Dan Marino. Dan Marino was the biggest screw up because with their fantastic Defense at the time, Marino would have totally changed that team in the 80’s and 90’s. Could you imagine Dan Marino in that Super Bowl instead of Odonnel and his two ridiculous pics?! And the year before in the Championship game against the Chargers.
You're not kidding, John. A lot of teams missed on Marino, but he was in the Steelers backyard, so it would've made a lot of sense. Yeah, he definitely would have changed that offense. Lenny Dawson became expendable when they got Bobby Layne. He had some good years with them, but Dawson would have been the guy through the 60s and beyond. Add Kemp to the group of guys the Steelers had. He turned out to be a good one as well.
Tony Dungy said Chuck Knoll passed on Dan Marino at the time due to rumors apparently unfounded in regard to cocaine use. The Washington Redskins would have selected Marino, had the Dolphins not picked him one before. The irony is, they ended up with Darrell Green one of the greatest at his position, and they still ended up winning a Super Bowl few years later.
nice 1960 Dell sports magazine , Sweet Don Merideth card , nice 1960 Fleer of Ron Mix , that's funny George Blanda with 2 different numbers maybe 2 different positions 22 usually a back and 16 a quarterback how cool, Broadway Joe , Nice Jack Kemp, and my favorite all time Chiefs qb Len Dawson , nice Don Maynard , Paul Lowe and Art Powel l , Nice Abner Haynes , 1. in Superbowl 3 the Jets played the Colts Jets an AFL team and Baltimore an NFL team. superbowl 4 the Chiefs would be the AFL team and the Vikings an NFL or am I missing something? 2. wasn't the KC Chiefs at one time the Dallas Texans? 3. What is Mark missing Don Maynard a great wide receiver better than all wide recievers since 1988 or so how is it that he couldn't make it in the NFL? other teams had better receivers or competition was very tough? 4. so who's the first superstar in the AFL is it George Blanda, Len Dawson or Broadway Joe , Don Merideth? since people back then and years before that were close minded who do you think Johnny Unitas would say is a superstar? 5. How come both played for the same team the New York Titans Don is in a blue Jersey and Art in a Green? I heard your answer at 7:56
Hi Mark, thank you. I am pretty sure they weren't as strict on the number in the 1950s. Charlie Conerly, the quarterback for the Giants was number 42. 1) You have it correct. The Chiefs were the AFL champion and a big underdog against the NFL champion. 2) Yes, I mentioned that when I talked about Dawson being on the Chiefs. They left Dallas and went to Kansas City after 1962. 3) He didn't get along with the offensive coordinator Allie Sherman. He didn't listen to him about his route running and was cut. 4) Abner Haynes was the first superstar. He won the Rookie of the Year, MVP and led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in his first season. Meredith was drafted by the AFL and NFL. He never played in the AFL and was signed by the Cowboys. Dawson and Namath came along a little later. Thanks!
Thanks for the history lesson, Terry! Here in Kansas City, we are very proud of the rich history with the AFL 🏈
Thanks Dre. As a Buffalonian, I have AFL roots as well. God Bless Lamar Hunt for having the vision and the wherewithal to see it through.
Another great episode, really enjoyed your story telling. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Orlando. I am glad you enjoyed.
Terry, so well done. Always enjoy.
Thanks Scott!
I was all about football as a kid in the 70s. A guy at a local indoor flea market sold old cards and I LOVED that '62 football set. I had Tarkenton's rookie, Jim Brown, Bart Starr etc. I let a lot of nice cards go for $50 my sophomore year, and none more painful than those '62 football cards. Always love your stories!
I love the 62 set. I don't know the history of prewar cards as well, but I believe it is the first post war set with black borders. I did a video awhile back on how Topps used colored borders on all three issues in 1962. Baseball had the faux wood, hockey had the beautiful blue and football had the striking black. I love the creativity employed at the time. Hopefully, you can get a few of the 62s back in your collection if you haven't already done so. I am glad you enjoy the stories. Take care!
Fantastic share Terry. Really like the Billy Cannon and Abner Haynes images. Love seeing some Len Dawson. AFL i have very little knowledge about, so it is really awesome to hear some of these stories. Always enjoy Terry and thanks for sharing with us hope you are having a great week buddy and enjoy your weekend.
Thanks Steve. There is no video I don’t like doing or else I wouldn’t do it, but I especially like enjoy watching these AFL videos and going through my magazines. Ii hope you have a great weekend too.
Thanks for sharing some history about the AFL. Some great players that were cut by NFL teams that missed out and had stellar careers.
Hi Ken, yes, there were. Thank goodness, the AFL was a league of opportunity for those players.
Hello Terry , i enjoyed a lots to look at the cards and learn about the AFL history. I like a lots the looking of this 1960 Fleer Abner Haynes card. Thanks Terry for sharing and Happy Telling.
Thanks Fabien! I am glad you enjoyed.
I love these cards and the history that goes with them. Well done Terry.
Thanks Mitchell!
Thanks for sharing the knowledge. Have a chipper day
Thanks Adam! You too, my friend
Great background. This video is shows exactly what we talked about with the combination of history, passion, story and wonder within our cards. It’s more than just a history lesson to me but rather a history exploration that help create more of the foundation that our collecting is built upon.
Thanks Drew! Well stated. I feel the same way when I dig a little deeper into the league and these players lives and careers. It is one of the most amazing stories in sports that the AFL was able to compete and then get a merger.
Great story about Abner Haynes.
Thank you, Pastor Craig.
Hi Terry. Great story and the cards are awesome. Thanks for sharing my friend.
Thanks Stephen. I am glad you enjoyed.
Another great one Terry! I like the concept of using the cards as tools to inform and teach about the player and the times they played in. Beautiful colors in these cards! It’s like going to my two favorite classes in school (art & history) at the same time! Thank you Terry!
Thanks CK! I am glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, my cards are a gateway to my learning more about the sports I love and sharing it with others.
great video as usual Mr chairman ,on the history of some of the players in the AFL, I like hearing about other teams and players other than the Boston Patriots, it's very informative. I always learn something from you and for that I'm grateful. health and happiness always.. Jonathan... AKA the Boston kid
Thanks Jonathan! I am learning right along with you which adds to the fun of it. The cards are great but the world they open up is even better. Mike Holovak the Patriots coach seemed like such a nice guy.
Awesome information Terry, thanks for the education. Beautiful cards as well.
Thanks Jason! I am glad you enjoyed it.
Great video Terry. Really like the image of Cannon and Haynes. Cannon and Powell were great players with the raiders and imprinted in my memory banks is the image of Nameth sitting on the locker room bench in red silk underwear looking down at the floor as I walked by him after a 24-14 loss to the Raiders in '65. Priceless memory.
Thanks Tony! I love hearing about your time working with the Raiders. One of the best stories since I have been in this community.
Really cool little history lesson. Of course your cards are beauties. Love the story about Abner Haynes and his pops and his card (and all those 60 fleers) are so great.
Thanks David. When I heard the Abner Haynes story, it makes having that card of his even better.
Great cards and info. Football was different back then.
Thanks Jim!
Terry you have great knowledge of the history of the game of football. Many nice cards you have but my favorite design the 1962 Football. How great it would be if that was a baseball design? Dawson was a favorite of mine in 1970.
Thanks Dan! I love the history of both baseball and football, so I enjoy putting this type of content out. Like I said in my video, cards can be used as a teaching tool. Yes, the 62 Topps Football is a beautiful set. I think it is the first mainstream issue to have a black border.
Great info Terry, tgat Abner card is a fantastic pose...always enjoy your knowledge.
Thanks Mike! I agree the Abner is a beauty. Such a dynamic looking photo.
Love those old Dell Sports magazines, and all the cards...but I'll always be partial to Dandy Don Meredith. Great episode and history of the AFL. Thanks Terry.
Thanks Mike! Dandy Don was a heck of a quarterback but an even bigger character of the game. That magazine is rich with interesting stories. I will share more in the future. Take care.
Terry really great cards and information about the AFL. The Billy Cannon is amazing, great pose, color and it's really cool seeing him in the LSU uni. We are starting to see modern cards like that today with the players college uni's on an NFL card. Loved see that Namath card. He's a player I'd like to collect way more of as he's from Pittsburgh and we attended the same University. Funny story about Haynes and Layne. Thanks for sharing the cards and stories.
Hi Mike, I am glad you enjoyed. I am a fan of the artwork and photo on the Cannon card too. I was looking to add that one for a while. There are so many great quarterbacks from Pennsylvania. That is pretty cool you went to the University of Alabama like Broadway Joe.
First off TJ…you nailed Abner’s dad’s deep imposing voice! No doubt your kids listen to you. I think that card might be the coolest football card I’ve ever seen. I love the 76 Topps Gregg Pruitt but this Abner Haynes might have it beat. Interesting to hear about Len Dawson’s journey. Was not aware of the Cleveland days and car crash. You’re the #1 content provider on AFL players, facts and fiction. 💪🏽
I appreciate that you like my impersonation of Abner’s dad. One of my favorite stories. I love that card too.
I don’t know a lot about Dawson’s time in Cleveland until I got that magazines. I knew of Milt Plum’s success.
I was in my teens when this NFL/AFL struggle for dominance took place & it provided a lot of drama for the first 5-6 years. In the beginning I was pro-NFL as I wanted football to stay status quo but it was hard to ignore players such as Kemp, Lamonica, Alworth, Maynard & of course, Namath. I recall the AFL games were broadcast on NBC & CBS had the NFL. It was a great time to be a football fan.
Hi Gary, I wasn’t alive yet but I could see myself being a loyalist to the NFL at first too. I would have questioned the quality of football. Though, having a team in Buffalo would have intrigued me.
I did live through the USFL and didn’t watch much of it. I wish I had.
Thank you for sharing your reflections from the time. It is amazing how the league persevered and ended up getting a merger.
The Giants signing Pete Gogolak from the Bills sped it up.
Great episode Terry! I always learn something new about the AFL whenever I watch one of these.
Love the Abner Hayes card and story of how he signed with the AFL.
When my friends and I first started playing fantasy football 45 years ago Street and Smith was the magazine we used also, it was the Bible back then!
Can’t wait to hear how the all time greats at the time rank Unitas in a future video.
Have a great weekend!
Hi Steve! I smiled when I saw your Cannon because I was working on this AFL video at the time. That is a great card for your collection. A historically important figure in the league but I also like that he was such a big deal in college football at the time. Having him in his LSU uniform on the card adds to the story.
I can see where Street and Smith’s would be a great resource prior to Fantasy Magazines.
I have Cannon and Haynes from the set, now I want to add the Paul Lowe rookie. Another beautiful card.
Take care
Terry, you do a better job explaining the history of this league and the origins of its players better than anywhere else I’ve ever seen! Definitely a different time and place but such a rich history. Thanking for sharing this once again!
Wow! Thanks Joe. I really appreciate the kind words. I am passionate about the AFL, and I am glad it comes through in the information I provide.
20th like - Really nice episode, Terry. Enjoy hearing about the history. Really neat to see the 1960 Fleer cards too. A nice set I don't see very often.
Thanks Brian! I am a big fan of the AFL and its history. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Terry great to see you going back to the AFL. Big fan of these videos as all we really hear in the media is the Super Bowl era which is not fair in my opinion. Love the color and clarity of your cards. Glad to see you are continuing this series
Thanks Sammy! I am glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, the pre-Super Bowl era is not nearly as publicized, but there also doesn't seem to be as much interest. Oh well, I enjoy it and I am glad there are others like yourself that do too.
As I recall, the USFL was built similarly in that they drafted or had rights regionally. I remember thinking that My Huskers and the Sooners would be on the same team (The Breakers).
If they relied on publications, I wonder if a writer who may have been biased in some way may have exaggerated the talent of the player they were writing about. Perhaps they would have done so to raise their pro stock. Every time you show a George Blanda card, I think of my dad. My dad was a Packers fan, but had a lot of respect for Blanda and still talks about him today.
You have an amazing collection of magazines. Enjoyed your story on Haynes. - Drew
Hi Drew, I believe you are correct about the USFL having territorial drafts. The teams had rights to certain in state colleges to pick players. The AFL version was a little different, but the objective was the same.
I am sure some of the writers were bias whether it was intentional or not, who knows. It is a good question. Your dad has good taste in football players with Blanda. I am not so sure about the Packers though. Haha
Hey Terry! I was literally thinking the other day about when you’d put out another AFL video. I was pretty happy when I saw this week’s title. Although I am looking forward to what 10 all-time greats have to say about Unitas.
Sounds like the AFL’s drafts were much more organized than the ABA’s. Although seems like the AFL was much more organized than the ABA.
Really interesting how Mayfield, Lowe, and Powell all were cut from the NFL but wearing the jerseys on their 61 cards. The Abner Hayes story was great. I didn’t know that at all.
I never commitment you enough on your collection and I apologize for that. I usually marvel at the cards but get too caught up listening to the story.
Great job researching this and delivering the information, Terry! I really enjoy this series. Have a great weekend!
Hi Andy! That is funny you were thinking about this series. I was thinking I haven't done one since around Thanksgiving. I was thinking about how I wanted to present this episode. I like to change things up to keep my videos fresh and interesting.
I am not as knowledgeable about the ABA drafts, but as Drew from Clean Cheap Shots pointed out there were some similarities to the USFL process.
I like the Maynard, Lowe and Powell cards in their NFL jerseys. That captures what was going on at the time when the AFL was formed. It is amazing how these players thrived in the AFL when given the opportunity.
No worries about commenting as often on the cards as much. I am glad the stories draw you in. That is important to me.
I always look forward to your comments. Have a great weekend Andy!
This was such a great episode, full of interesting information. Fantastic cards Terry. I really like the 60 Fleer design, simple but effective. Have a great rest of the day my friend.
Thanks Doug! I am glad you enjoyed. I like to talk about football as much as baseball. I grew up with both games being a big part of my life. Take care.
Hi Terry:
This was a great review of the AFL. That Len Dawson card looks like it was taken in his Browns uniform. I also never knew Hank Stram was his college coach as well. Didn't Don Maynard play for the Giants during the 1958 NFL Championship game? He was a great player. The AFL gave these guys their shots.
Love the story of the teams depending on magazines to help them make their draft picks. I think the NBA may have had some type of territorial draft in the 1960's. I think that's how the Lakers drafted Gail Goodrich from UCLA.
I like the color background and that they used their college uniform images in those 1960 Fleer cards. Great recap of the early days of the AFL, Terry. The AFL really made the post 1970 NFL a great league. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Rick,
I am glad you enjoyed the video. I am not sure how the NBA did the draft in those days. The USFL did it similar to the AFL.
I do not believe Maynard played in the 1958 Championship game. If he did, there are no statistics available. He was cut by the Colts in 59. He then had a very short stint in the CFL. When the AFL was formed the New York Titans head coach Sammy Baugh knew of Maynard from college and contacted him for a tryout. He was the first player the Titans signed. I believe he was teaching and tending bar at the time. I don’t typically share all the stories because I don’t want the videos to be too long, but I find the AFL fascinating.
You might be right that the Dawson photo on the 64 Topps could be from the Browns. Topps was known to do it.
Take care
Another great AFL episode Terry. Thanks for the great info. I agree about the super Abner Haynes pose in that 1960 Fleer card. I really enjoy poses like that in these vintage football cards. // By the way, I know we have discussed this before, but magazines like that are great. It is really the only way of learning the mindset in that time period.
Hi George, the dynamic poses like the Haynes are some of my favorites too. It shows the athleticism and gracefulness of these athletes. Just a classic football photo. The magazines tell the story of the day. Thanks, my friend.
Nice to learn some information. Very cool.
I am glad enjoyed.
Great video Terry. Super information on some great NFL players. Fantastic looking cards. Nice Abner Haynes addition. I recently sent him a TTM request. I hope that I hear back. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed as always.
Thanks Ed! I hope you get the Haynes back. I would love to see it. Have great weekend, my friend.
Hi Terry! Sweet Pro Football magazine! Would be interesting to hear what the great players of the day thought about Unitas!
I like that teams lost a draft pick if the player went to the other league, teams need to sharpen their pencils and give the player a great offer!
I didn’t know that Len Dawson was drafted by the Steelers!
Great looking cards! Love the Abner Haynes pickup and the story of his father telling him to play for the Texans!
The history of the AFL and NFL certainly is a great and interesting story!
Hi Jim! Yes, that is a great magazine. I will definitely share the Unitas story in the future. I could spend an hour on that magazine. haha. There were a lot of players that were lost to the NFL or AFL during that period. It is pretty interesting looking back the drafts and imagining Joe Namath on the Cardinals, Gale Sayers on the Chiefs and Dick Butkus on the Broncos.
The Steelers once had Unitas, Dawson and Kemp and lost all three. Haha.
Take care
Hi Terry - wonderful video! I went back and watched all the episodes. Very informative and it got me excited for AFL cards. I just put a 1961 Lionel Taylor in my eBay cart 😀
Thanks so much. I appreciate you going back and watching the past episodes. There were so many wonderful stories and players in the AFL. The 1961 Lionel Taylor is a fantastic card with him decked out in that garish Broncos uniform. Nice choice.
My childhood was in the 80s/early 90s (born in 1979) so I missed out on 60s and 70s football so thanks again so much for doing the research and presenting the history of that era with great stories to tell and cards to show.
Awesome my friend 🎉
Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed.
What a great magazine for this episode. You know I love this AFL series, and this is another great one! I loved hearing more about the beginnings of the league. The Billy Cannon image is great and I love the '62 Meredith. How would that be at the Rams to have to forfeit the number one pick when Canon went to the AFL. Things like that would be pretty intense for organizations (and fans), I'm sure! Great first card of Blanda. That's one of my wish list cards. I realized recently I don't have a single playing days card of Namath. I'll have to change that one of these days 😁 when I think AFL, he sure comes to mind. This was great! Thanks so much for putting this together 👍👍
Hi Brian! I am glad you enjoyed it. I wanted to dig a little more into the league itself. Then show a couple of new additions (Haynes and Mix) and talk about why they matter. Haynes was an explosive runner with good hands. Now I want to find the 1960 Paul Lowe rookie which is another beautiful card.
You can’t go wrong adding any Namath cards. He is one of my favorites to collect. Unfortunately he doesn’t have any cards from 74 to 77. I love the 54 and 64 Blanda next to each other. Similar type photos and you can see how he looks a decade later. Thanks Brian!
@@tjmacvintagecardsnostalgia648 yeah I wish a Namath had more cards. The later 70's cards would be more affordable lol. Good luck with the Paul Lowe, that'd be great!
Another great education! That Jack Kemp is a beautiful card 5:59 Love the contrast of that Maynard with the yellow background.
Thanks Zach. Yeah, that is a beautiful Kemp card. I love the photo choice with the design.
Aloha Terry ! Love that AFL Series. I like to see which players you talk about are in the East-West Shrine Game programs. You showed some really nice cards. C Ya !
Thanks Tom! I am glad you enjoy it.
Great info as always Terry. I’m guessing that photo of Don Meredith on the magazine is when he was at SMU? I’m not sure I have ever seen him in an SMU uniform before.
The 1961 Topps and 1969 Fleer look wonderful together and that Abner Haynes is one beautiful looking card! That orange background really draws the green out and that pose is just super! You have a great eye for quality.
I don’t know if I knew this before and didn’t pay attention or if I’m just late to the party but I was just now learning that Len Dawson completed the first pass in Super Bowl history. I guess it had to be him or Starr but I don’t think I ever put it together until now. Completed it to Chris Burford who was a really good player in his own right and was the first person to sign an AFL contract. Well done Terry
Thanks Chris. I didn't know that about Len Dawson and Burford. I haven't seen a color photo of Meredith in his SMU uniform before either. This magazine was a lot of fun to read. There is a photo on the back inside page of Leo "The Lion" Nomellini vs. "Big Daddy" Lipscomb.
I could make these videos longer because there is so much interesting info but I don't want it to be too long. For example, I read in the article that originally Ralph Wilson wanted his franchise in Miami rather than Buffalo.
I am glad you enjoyed it.
@@tjmacvintagecardsnostalgia648 Oh man! Nomellini bs Big Daddy! Now that’s a matchup!
Hey there, Terry!
Extremely good video, my friend. This video will be a very nice addition to your collection videos centering around the AFL.
It was while searching this very topic on TH-cam the subject brought forth your content and my first contact w what you do here.
Really enjoyed your magazine addition and Len Dawson share. Great player just poetry in motion. The card looks amazing. Those white boarders and white smile. Kudos!
How about that! Dividing the AFL into pre and post Broadway Joe! Love the Jets whole design and color scheme and whatta card.
Jealousy and Envy are somethings the best of us are capable of but in this case we only feel admiration for your collection and gratitude you present so kindly. Terrific
Let me finally add that I think videos like this that provide very good and clear content on subjects that aren't as focused on as the AFL cards provide great value and a helpful service to those of that want to know more and the cards of this ten yr time frame in football. Rest assured that people searching the subject will find their way here.
Have a very healthy and inspiring month of March, Terry!
Hi Avian! I am glad you enjoyed this installment of my AFL series. It has been a little while since I did an episode, but I wanted to wait until I finished my research for this episode. I am glad this series allowed us to connect through the community.
Yeah, the Broadway Joe split just came to me. There was five years with him and five without. He was a huge impact to the league and New York. During his time, the Jets supplanted the Giants as the most interesting football team in New York. How much fun to see both the Jets and Mets win in 1969.
Thank you for the kinds words about my collection and presentation. I have enjoyed piecing it together over the last two and half decades.
As always, your comments are eloquent, thought provoking and bring a smile to my face.
Take care, Terry
I got to meet Billy Cannon sometime ago. I have to look for his autograph
That's a nice autograph to have.
Always enjoy 😂😂😂
Thanks so much
After this video, I really want to get that Abner Haynes card! 😊
Go for it! 😀
Useful to think about collecting a continuity of football cards thru this lense. NFL Football in its current form didn’t exist until that merger. The league was threatened by upstarts thru the 80s w USFL, and whole there are still minor competitors today, the full gait of the modern NFL and the collectible market feels like a golden age of sorts to me!
It is a lot of fun to collect football cards from this era. The AFL vs. NFL is fascinating. Both leagues had a lot of great players. Unfortunately, the players that played their careers exclusively in the AFL do not get the recognition they deserve. Unlike, the USFL and AAFC, the AFL stats count as part of the NFL due to the leagues merging.
Thanks for the comment.
The Steelers didn't do much right before coach noll 😢
No, they didn’t. Bobby Layne was a good trade for them but it may not have been necessary if Dawson or Unitas had been given a chance. Though, you never know how they would’ve done.
Steelers sure did draft a lot of good players they didn’t seem to think were good. Of course Johnny U and Dawson were the biggest screw ups next to passing up Dan Marino. Dan Marino was the biggest screw up because with their fantastic Defense at the time, Marino would have totally changed that team in the 80’s and 90’s. Could you imagine Dan Marino in that Super Bowl instead of Odonnel and his two ridiculous pics?! And the year before in the Championship game against the Chargers.
You're not kidding, John. A lot of teams missed on Marino, but he was in the Steelers backyard, so it would've made a lot of sense. Yeah, he definitely would have changed that offense.
Lenny Dawson became expendable when they got Bobby Layne. He had some good years with them, but Dawson would have been the guy through the 60s and beyond. Add Kemp to the group of guys the Steelers had. He turned out to be a good one as well.
Tony Dungy said Chuck Knoll passed on Dan Marino at the time due to rumors apparently unfounded in regard to cocaine use. The Washington Redskins would have selected Marino, had the Dolphins not picked him one before. The irony is, they ended up with Darrell Green one of the greatest at his position, and they still ended up winning a Super Bowl few years later.
nice 1960 Dell sports magazine , Sweet Don Merideth card , nice 1960 Fleer of Ron Mix ,
that's funny George Blanda with 2 different numbers maybe 2 different positions 22 usually a back and 16 a quarterback how cool,
Broadway Joe , Nice Jack Kemp, and my favorite all time Chiefs qb Len Dawson ,
nice Don Maynard , Paul Lowe and Art Powel l ,
Nice Abner Haynes ,
1. in Superbowl 3 the Jets played the Colts Jets an AFL team and Baltimore an NFL team.
superbowl 4 the Chiefs would be the AFL team and the Vikings an NFL or am I missing something?
2. wasn't the KC Chiefs at one time the Dallas Texans?
3. What is Mark missing Don Maynard a great wide receiver better than all wide recievers since 1988 or so how is it that he couldn't make it in the NFL?
other teams had better receivers or competition was very tough?
4. so who's the first superstar in the AFL is it George Blanda, Len Dawson or Broadway Joe , Don Merideth?
since people back then and years before that were close minded who do you think Johnny Unitas would say is a superstar?
5. How come both played for the same team the New York Titans Don is in a blue Jersey and Art in a Green? I heard your answer at 7:56
Hi Mark, thank you. I am pretty sure they weren't as strict on the number in the 1950s. Charlie Conerly, the quarterback for the Giants was number 42.
1) You have it correct. The Chiefs were the AFL champion and a big underdog against the NFL champion.
2) Yes, I mentioned that when I talked about Dawson being on the Chiefs. They left Dallas and went to Kansas City after 1962.
3) He didn't get along with the offensive coordinator Allie Sherman. He didn't listen to him about his route running and was cut.
4) Abner Haynes was the first superstar. He won the Rookie of the Year, MVP and led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in his first season. Meredith was drafted by the AFL and NFL. He never played in the AFL and was signed by the Cowboys. Dawson and Namath came along a little later.
Thanks!