The History of the New York Jets

The New York Jets began play in 1960, when they were known as the New York Titans.  They were a founding member of the American Football League.  They spent their first few years as a mediocre team before becoming one of the AFL’s top teams in the late 60s under the direction of star quarterback Joe Namath. 

The Jets were instrumental in the merger between the AFL and NFL.  In 1968, the Jets defeated Oakland in the AFL Championship game, allowing them to play against the NFL champion Baltimore Colts.  The game was being referred to for the first time as the “Super Bowl.”  The Jets were thought to be overmatched by their counterparts from the superior NFL.  Namath was undeterred, guaranteeing a Jets victory.  He then went out and backed up his claim by playing in one of the biggest upsets in football history, defeating the Colts 16-7.  The game proved that the AFL was capable of competing with the NFL.

In 1968 the Jets were also a part of one of the most famous moments in television history.  After the Jets took a 32-29 lead with 1:05 left against the Oakland Raiders, NBC cut to commercial and then began to show the movie Heidi.  Fans were outraged, with so many calling the network that they knocked out the NBC switchboard.  Although NBC decided to show the conclusion of the game, it could not be communicated and the movie aired as planned. 

The fans were even more outraged when the game ended with the Raiders ahead 43-32.  The game resulted in sports leagues and networks changing their rules so that all games would be broadcasted until the game was officially over, even if that cut into network programming.

The Super Bowl of 1968 ended up being the pinnacle of Joe Namath’s career.  The charismatic quarterback suffered from many injuries throughout the 70s, causing the Jets to struggle in the immediate years following the merger.  He was let go following a dismal 1976 season in which he threw for 4 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.  He eventually signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he would retire after just four games.

In 1981, the Jets enjoyed their first winning season since Namath’s departure.  They were led by quarterback Richard Todd and defensive linemen Mark Gastineau and Joe Klecko.  The two defensive linemen combined for over 40 sacks in 1981 and would come to be known as “The New York Sack Exchange.”  They would go on to make the playoffs, eventually lose to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card game.

In 1983, the Jets upset the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals in the first round.  They would go on to defeat the top-seeded LA Rams to earn a spot in the AFC Championship game.  They played against the Miami Dolphins in Miami following severe rain storms in Florida, causing the field to be a muddy mess. The muddy field had a negative effect on both offenses, with neither team gaining over 200 yards in total offense. The game, known as the “Mud Bowl,” ended with the Dolphins on top.

The 1998 season resulted in the Jet’s greatest success since the days of Namath.  Coach Bill Parcells led them to a 12-4 record.  They ended the season by playing in the AFC Championship game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. 

Looking forward, the Jets have a bright future.  Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez exceeded all expectations this year by taking the Jets to the AFC Championship game.  Coach Rex Ryan has done a great job getting his team to focus on running the ball and playing defense.  Those are two of the core ingredients for success for playoff football.  The Jets will build on last year’s success and should be a contender in the AFC for years to come.