Super Bowl History: Super Bowl 3
Super Bowl 3, the third edition of the annual American Football Championship game, was played on January 12, 1969. The game featured the American Football League (AFL) champion New York Jets and the National Football League (NFL) champion Baltimore Colts. It was held at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida in front of a crowd of over 75,000 people.
Super Bowl 3 was historic as it marked the first time an AFL team had won the Super Bowl, with the New York Jets defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Colts with a score of 16-7.
Jets quarterback Joe Namath made headlines before the game with his bold prediction of victory and backed it up by leading his team to an upset win and earning the Super Bowl MVP award for his performance.
The game was also notable for its defensive play, with both teams showcasing strong defensive performances throughout the game. The Jets' defense was able to contain the Colts' high-powered offense and ultimately secured a victory for the Jets.
Super Bowl 3 is remembered as a huge upset and a defining moment in the history of American Football, as it marked the arrival of the AFL as a legitimate contender for the NFL. The victory of the New York Jets and Joe Namath helped establish the AFL as a major league, which ultimately led to the merger of the AFL and NFL, forming the league we know today as the NFL.
Super Bowl 3 is certainly a significant moment in the Super Bowl's legacy and American Football history. It is also the one and only time the New York Jets have made it to the Super Bowl, the third-longest stretch in the NFL, only the Lions and Browns have gone longer.