The All-American Football Conference or the AAFC was a football league that sprouted from the return of football players from WW2. Founded in 1944 but didn't start its first season until 1946. One of the NFL's most formidable challengers, the AAFC attracted many of the nation's best players, and introduced many lasting innovations to the game. However, the AAFC was ultimately unable to sustain itself in competition with the NFL. Three of its teams were admitted to the NFL: the San Francisco 49ers, the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Colts (not the same team that later played, the second Colts team would play in Baltimore in the NFL from 1953 through 1983, now the Indianapolis Colts). The AAFC had its teams play in a double round robin format in the regular season. Each team had a home game and an away game with each of its AAFC opponents.
The League had 8 teams in its first three years and 7 teams in its last season in 1949. The teams that folded in 1949 that didn't go to the NFL were Buffalo Bison/Bills, the Brooklyn Dodgers that merged with the New York Yankees (were two different teams for 46-48') for just the 1949 season only, the Miami Seahawks, the Los Angeles Dons, and the Chicago Rockets/Hornets. The Cleveland Browns dominated the league winning all 4 championships. The Browns, 49ers, and Colts (Not the current Colts) joined the league in 1950. These 3 teams were looked down upon for other NFL teams. The Browns continued their success going to the next 6 NFL Championships and 7 of the next 8 championship games. Otto Graham Hall of Fame Quarterback of the Browns and Head Coach Paul Brown lead those first 10 Browns' teams. They won 7 of 10 title games, going 3 for 3 in the NFL, no one has ever approached that level of greatness ever since or before. The league has made a huge impact on the sports because we still have the Cleveland Browns who later became the Ravens and then reemerged in 1999 and also the San Francisco 49ers. These teams have won many titles and will continue to compete for more titles.
Here is a link to a slideshow of many photos from the AAFC.
Info to the Brooklyn Dodgers who have folded here.
Info to the Buffalo Bills who have folded here.
Info to the Chicago Rockets who have folded here.
Info to the Miami Seahawks who have folded here.
Info to the Los Angeles Dons who have folded here.
Info to the New York Yankees who have folded here.
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