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Fifty years ago this day, the NFL and AFL became one mighty league (Shutdown Corner)

This offseason, Shutdown Corner will travel down memory lane with a series of stories presenting some interesting and sometimes forgotten stories from the NFL's past. Join us as we relive some of the greatest and craziest moments in the sport's history.

For most of the 1960s, it felt like America was at war. But just as the Vietnam conflict was starting to reach its apex, one long-waged battle came to a swift end on June 8, 1966.

NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle promoting the merger of the NFL and AFL in 1966 (Photo by Bob Gomel/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)
NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle promoting the merger of the NFL and AFL in 1966 (Photo by Bob Gomel/The LIFE Picture …

Meeting in New York, the owners of the 15 NFL franchises and the nine NFL clubs — who had battled as opposition, tooth and nail, since the start of the decade — sought resolution to their tug of war.