American Football League Most Valuable Players

During its ten-year existence (1960–1969), the American Football League's best player for each year was called the "Most Valuable Player" by some sports-news sources and the "Player of the Year" by others. The awards by the major services are shown below.

ABNER HAYNES, Running Back, Dallas Texans (UPI, AP)

In the league's first year, Haynes led the AFL in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns. Haynes helped launch the AFL as the fledgling league's first Most Valuable Player, and its first Rookie of the Year. He captured the AFL's first rushing crown with 875 yards, and also led the Texans in receiving, punt returns, and kickoff returns.

GEORGE BLANDA, quarterback, Houston Oilers (UPI, AP, TSN)

Blanda completed 187 of 362 passes for 3,330 yards and 36 touchdowns, for 216 points. He added another 112 points on conversions (64 of 65) and field goals (16 of 26). In the Oilers' 10-6 victory over the San Diego Chargers in the American Football League Championship game, Blanda had a hand in all the Oilers' scoring, throwing a 25-yard pass to Billy Cannon, and kicking the extra point and a 46-yard field goal.

COOKIE GILCHRIST, fullback, Buffalo Bills (UPI, AP)

Carlton Chester "Cookie" Gilchrist came from the Canadian Football League and took American pro football by storm. In his first year in the league, he became its first thousand-yard rusher, gaining (in a 14-game season) 1,096 yards on 246 carries for a 5.1 yards-per-carry average and 13 touchdowns, an all-time league record. He also caught 24 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and kicked 14 extra points and seven field goals, the longest a 42-yarder.

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