Revolution
August 5, 1967 - the Denver Broncos become the first AFL team to beat an NFL team, defeating the Detroit Lions in the first of 16 AFL-NFL preseason games that year.
Just over a year before, the two leagues had come to an agreement to merge by 1970, and this was the first of the pre-season exhibition games ever to be played between the two leagues. Nothing was at stake but pride, and that was enough to make the games heated affairs. The Lions' Alex Karras famously said that he would walk back to Detroit if the Lions lost in Denver.
I doubt he did that, though I don't know, but the Lions did lose in Denver. After a scoreless first half, the Broncos' bruising tailback Cookie Gilchrist took over, rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown. Denver added two field goals and held on for a 13-7 victory. The seeds of the Namath guarantee were in place.
Just over a year before, the two leagues had come to an agreement to merge by 1970, and this was the first of the pre-season exhibition games ever to be played between the two leagues. Nothing was at stake but pride, and that was enough to make the games heated affairs. The Lions' Alex Karras famously said that he would walk back to Detroit if the Lions lost in Denver.
I doubt he did that, though I don't know, but the Lions did lose in Denver. After a scoreless first half, the Broncos' bruising tailback Cookie Gilchrist took over, rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown. Denver added two field goals and held on for a 13-7 victory. The seeds of the Namath guarantee were in place.
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