New York's Curtis Martin (28) makes a move on Buffalo's Antoine Winfield (26)

 

In February 1963, Harry Wismer, owner of the New York Titans, one of the AFL's charter franchises, sold his outfit lock, stock and barrel to a five-man group headed by David "Sonny" Werblin. Werblin's group bought the bankrupt franchise for $1,000,000, and, soon after, rechristened the "new" team the Jets. Weeb Ewbank was chosen to be the coach.

 

The three-year reign of Wismer had been fraught with controversy. The on-field happenings of the Titans were often overlooked as Wismer moved from feud to feud with the thoughtlessness of a person playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded pistol. In spite of it all, the Titans were reasonably successful on the field. Their real problem was at the box office: they were a disaster. At least that problem was addressed when the Jets moved from the antiquated Polo Grounds to a brand-new Shea Stadium in 1964. (The Jets moved to the Meadowlands in New Jersey in 1984.)

 

Ewbank, who had enjoyed success with the Baltimore Colts in the 1950's, patiently began a building program with the Jets. Patience is one thing . . . but on January 2, 1965, the Jets received an instant transfusion when Werblin signed Alabama quarterback Joe Namath. The signing of the highly-regarded Namath proved to be a major factor in the eventual end of the AFL-NFL war that raged in the 1960's.

 

The 1968 season was the high-water mark for the Jets and the AFL. Led by Ewbank and guided by players like Namath and Don Maynard, the Jets raced to the AFL East title with an 11-3 record. They then defeated the Oakland Raiders, 27-23, in the AFL championship.

 

Jets DE Shaun Ellis lays a hard tackle on Giants QB Kerry Collins as he attempts to make a pass.

 

What happened next rocked the sports world. In Super Bowl III, the Jets stunned the entire sports world with a 16-7 victory over the overwhelmingly-favored Baltimore Colts. It is considered to be one of the most pivotal games ever in helping build a fan base for football. The Jets won the AFL East again in 1969 but lost to Kansas City in a first-round playoff game. They did not seriously challenge for a divisional championship for another 12 years.

 

In the 1980's, the Jets made the playoffs five times (1981, 1982, 1985, 1986 and 1991). In both 1981 and 1986, when they won their first-round playoff games before losing. In the strike-shortened 1982 season, the Jets advanced to the AFC championship game, but lost to Miami, 14-0.

 

In 1978, Weeb Ewbank, who led the Jets to their most improbable win, was elected to the Hall of Fame. He was followed by two other pivotal members of that Super Bowl III team, Namath (1985) and Maynard (1987)