September 9, 1960: The First Snap - Broncos, Patriots, and the Start of the AFL

On this day in 1960, the Denver Broncos and the Boston Patriots made sports history by playing in the first-ever AFL game. The Broncos narrowly defeated the Patriots 13-10 in front of 21,597 excited fans at Nickerson Field in Boston. This marked the beginning of a revolutionary new era in professional football, one that would eventually lead to the AFL’s merger with the NFL a decade later in 1970.

The AFL was born out of a desire to compete with the established NFL and provide fans with more football. Its founders envisioned a league that would challenge the NFL’s dominance, bringing exciting, high-quality football to cities across the United States. The Denver Broncos and Boston Patriots were among the eight original AFL teams, which also included the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Texans (who would become the Kansas City Chiefs), Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Titans (who would become the Jets), and Oakland Raiders.

The game was not without drama, both on and off the field. Denver’s head coach, Frank Filchock, found himself at the center of a spying controversy. It was rumored that the day before the game, Filchock had taken a walk from his hotel and stumbled upon the Patriots’ practice session at Nickerson Field. Allegedly, he used this opportunity to observe the Patriots’ game plan, giving Denver an edge going into the matchup. Though no formal investigation followed, this incident added an extra layer of intrigue to the AFL’s inaugural game.

The Patriots struck first with a 35-yard field goal by Gino Cappelletti. However, the Broncos responded with two touchdowns: a 59-yard reception by Al Carmichael and a pivotal 76-yard punt return by Gene Mingo, who became one of the league’s standout players.

Boston fought back in the third quarter when Butch Songin connected with Jim Colclough for a touchdown, cutting Denver’s lead to 13-10. In the final quarter, the Patriots looked poised to take the lead, driving deep into Denver territory. But an interception by the Broncos on their own 2-yard line ended Boston’s hopes of a comeback.

This game marked the start of the AFL’s challenge to the NFL, which ultimately culminated in the merger of the two leagues in 1970. The AFL introduced a new style of play, with a greater emphasis on passing and a more fan-friendly approach to the game, forever changing the landscape of professional football.

While the Denver Broncos and Boston Patriots (now New England Patriots) have since developed into powerhouse franchises in modern football, their rivalry began humbly on that September night in 1960, amid controversy, competition, and the birth of a league that would reshape the sport forever.