The Baltimore Colts' (NFL) quest toward Super Bowl III was bumpy, after a disappointing 1968 postseason, a season-ending injury that put quarterback Johnny Unitas out of commission, and a new coach in Coach Don Shula leading the team. The NFL had a reputation to defend after winning the two previous Super Bowls, and the AFL was looking to put its name on the map. The NFL and AFL were in a constant battle for supremacy since 1964 after a handful of highly-publicized bidding wars between the two leagues for top college prospects - including Joe Namath. To state that Super Bowl III was a high-pressure game for both teams would be an understatement. By the end of this article, you'll know which team proved victorious in Super Bowl III, the plays that made Joe Namath a household name, and how one of these teams managed to cover a dreary 18-point spread. January 12, 1969, was the chance for two fresh faces - the New York Jets of the AFL and the Baltimore Colts of the NFL - to grace the big stage for the first time and make or break the NFL's unbroken win streak at the Super Bowl. The two leagues officially dubbed the Third AFL–NFL Championship Game in 1969 "Super Bowl III," the first of its kind. Coming off back-to-back Packers (NFL) victories and capturing the focus of over 50 million Americans, the NFL and AFL soon realized that these annual football championships were a massive hit.
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