Today In Patriots History June 8, 1966: Billy Sullivan helps broker the AFL-NFL merger

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Today in Patriots History
The Merger​

June 8, 1966:
The National Football League and American Football League announce they will merge in 1970, and created an event that would later come to be known as the Super Bowl.


On April 16, 1965, Billy Sullivan took part in preliminary discussions with his AFL counterparts in regards to an AFL-NFL merger. Sullivan ended up becoming part of a three-man AFL merger committee, dedicated to negotiating the transaction. Ironically one of the items that was agreed upon hurt Sullivan and the Patriots more than any other franchise: every AFL team had to have a stadium that could seat at least 50,000 people.


Not so ironically this clause only applied to AFL teams; the Vikings were exempt. From 1961 to 1981 Minnesota played in Metropolitan Stadium, which had a capacity of 40,800 to 47,900 over those years.


Another condition screwed two original AFL franchises. The Raiders and Jets were forced to pay an indemnity to the 49ers ($8 million over 20 years) and Giants ($10 million over 20 years) for 'infringing on their territorial rights'. No wonder Al Davis hated Pete Rozelle so much.

NFL and AFL announce merger | June 8, 1966 | HISTORY

On June 8, 1966, the rival National Football League (NFL) and American Football League (AFL) announce that they will ...

www.history.com

Remembering the AFL-NFL merger 50 years ago

Fifty years ago, professional football’s civil war came to a formal end. The bitter conflict between the establishment National Football League and upstart American Football League had dragged on for more than six years, highlighted by intense infighting as each league struggled for supremacy...

www.boston.com

HERE'S HOW IT HAPPENED

The peace talks that led to agreement between the National Football League and the American began and ended near a statue of a Texas Ranger at the Love Field

vault.si.com

Sports of the Times; Giants-Jets: Bonfire Embers - New York Times

Football War Ended With Merger 25 Years Ago

Jim Grabowski. Not a name that jumps at you on the 25th anniversary of the NFL-AFL merger.

www.latimes.com

How the Giants Kept the Jets in New York

The NFL wanted the Jets gone

www.dawgsbynature.com

 

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Today in Patriots History
More 20th Century News​

June 8, 1968:
Patriots sign undrafted punter Bill Payne

1968 Boston Patriots Media Guide -- Page 168

"Sonny", as he is known to his family and close friends is another aspirant for the punting job . . . This native of Powell, Tenn. (suburb of Knoxville) had college career at Tennessee restricted to one year by ankle injury . . . resumed competition 3 years ago and led three different minor professional leagues in punting since . . . had 40.2 average and record 83 yard punt with Knoxville Bears of Southern league in 1965 . . . improved to 43.9 average with Chattanooga Redskins of North American League in 1966 and soared to 46.0 average with Texarkana Titans of Texas League last season . . . Texarkana Coach Tom Collins, ex-Giant, recommended him and Pats coach Jess Richardson endorsed him after giving him private tryout during spring scouting tour.​

June 8, 1972:
Pats sign OT Mike Kelson, the ninth round pick from Arkansas

Pats sign LB Joel Klimek, the 15th round pick from Pitt

Pats sign LB Henry Adolfi, an undrafted rookie from Amherst

K Basil Lima of Peabody, OT Jim Brandstatter of Michigan, DL John Skladany of Central Connecticut, DL Clarence McGill of Syracuse and DT Rich Moore were released. Moore's son Brandon would play for the Patriots from 1993-95.

Article clipped from The Bangor Daily News

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 6/9/1972.

www.newspapers.com

June 8, 1992:
- Pats sign fifth round draft pick Dwayne Saab
- Pats sign eighth round draft pick Scott Lockwood
- Pats sign free agent Tim Kalal


Saab played in 74 games with 24 starts, plus four postseason games at outside linebacker.

Lockwood only played in six games. Most of his action came in the final game of the 1992 season, with Dante Scarnecchia filling in as head coach while **** MacPherson was in the hospital. Lockwood carried the ball 30 times, rushing for 123 yards while also averaging over 22 yards on four kickoff returns.

Kalal was a successful punter at the University of Miami, but never made it onto an NFL roster.

The Blocked Punt (1988 vs. Miami) // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame

125.nd.edu

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June 8, 1999:
If I recall correctly, Captain Stone preferred the name "Chris Can't-He"

Patriots release CB Canty

FOXBORO, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced the release of cornerback Chris Canty, today.

www.patriots.com

The New England Patriots announced the release of cornerback Chris Canty, today.​

"Unfortunately, Chris did not take full advantage of his opportunity with the Patriots," said coach Pete Carroll. "I am encouraged by the work and commitment shown by many of our players and expect great competition at that position in camp this year."​

Canty, 23, totaled 79 tackles, one interception and three sacks in two seasons with the Patriots. Last season, he started the first nine games at right cornerback before being replaced by Steve Israel, who started each of the last seven games. Canty finished the season playing as a defensive reserve and was credited with 53 total tackles (42 solo), which ranked 10th on the team. His only interception as a Patriot came vs. Indianapolis rookie Peyton Manning in the 1998 home opener (9/13/98).​

Canty also contributed on special teams. In 1998, he returned 11 kickoffs for 198 yards (18.0 avg.) and filled in for an injured Troy Brown to return 16 punts for 170 yards (10.6 avg.). In addition, he lined up on coverage units late in the season and was credited with eight special teams tackles.​

The 5-foot-9-inch, 185-pound cornerback was drafted in the first round (29th overall) of the 1997 NFL draft. Canty attended Kansas State and earned three letters (1994-96).​