The AFL established a playoff format for the 1969 season, with the winner in one division playing the runner-up in the other, January 11. An AFL team won the Super Bowl for the first time, as the Jets defeated the Colts 16-7 at Miami, January 12 in Super Bowl III. The title Super Bowl was recognized by the NFL for the first time.
Vince Lombardi became part owner, executive vice-president, and head coach of the Washington Redskins, February 7.
Wolman sold the Eagles to Leonard Tose, May 1.
Baltimore, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh agreed to join the AFL teams to form the 13-team American Football Conference of the NFL in 1970, May 17. The NFL also agreed on a playoff format that would include one 'wild-card' team per conference-the second-place team with the best record.
Monday Night Football was signed for 1970. ABC acquired the rights to televise 13 NFL regular-season Monday night games in 1970, 1971, and 1972.
George Preston Marshall, president emeritus of the Redskins, died at 72, August 9.
The NFL marked its fiftieth year by the wearing of a special patch by each of the 16 teams.
In 1970, the AFL was absorbed into the NFL and the league reorganized with the ten AFL franchises along with three existing NFL teams: the Baltimore Colts, the Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming part of the newly formed American Football Conference.
The AFL and the NFL champions faced each other in Super Bowl IV at the end of the season to determine an overall champion.
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