In 1965: The innovative American Football League had some leverage five years into its existence, and the AFL wielded it with expansion.

Earl Faison knew something was amiss immediately after arriving in New Orleans. The Chargers defensive end was among dozens of players who had landed in the city for the 1965 American Football League ...

He was also co-founder of the AFL Players Association. Despite his success on the football field and later in politics, little is known about his role in the 1965 AFL All-Star Game boycott.

In 1965, wide receiver Lionel Taylor looked on as his Broncos selected star Illinois linebacker Dick Butkus in the AFL draft. He didn’t think much of it. “I knew we weren’t going to sign him ...