1965 AFL Championship Game Summary- Bills vs. Chargers

A dissenting opinion

Don’t stop now – do the Chiefs blowout of the Bills on 1/1/67 (a game that would have ended 24-0 sans a muddy field leading first a fumbled kickoff by BUFF and KC’s first score, likewise a slip by a Chiefs DB which allowed BUFF an easy td – its only; 31-7 officially the final.)

Or, if you really want to feel good, post the 10/13/68 SD vs @OAK 23-14 Chargers win that ended the AFL Champion Raiders 14 game winning streak, or from one year earlier 10/15/67 @SD vs KC’s defending AFL Champions, 45-17 SD lead that ended 45-31, SD* (those two games perhaps the Chargers last hurrah’s the 1960s save the final regular season AFL game ’69, Alworth breaking Hutson’s record.)

*Of note, there are those who believe this KC vs @SD game in combination with earlier losses by KC out in California in 1967 (35-10 to GB, 44-24 to LA and 23-21 to OAK) prompted an ‘superstitious’ Head Coach Hank Stram change the Chiefs road uniforms for ’68, the four west coast losses in one season too much to bear.

The party line from Owner Lamar Hunt was “we needed more contrast in the uniforms”, hence they added striping/piping to the end of the sleeves & those garish/God awful looking red pants – ‘hideous’ is my descript as a KC fan, and apparently not so very popular with the players then either – always thought (still do) they make them look like a giant nosebleed.

When they added red shoes in ’72 & wore them for a few years aft, clowns and candy stripers came to my mind – and a feeling of physical illness at the sight. Their original basic all white jersey/pants look with red helmets, red socks and no sleeve stripes an better presentation, my opine.

The passage of time might require change (just for change’ sake, appears), but I never agreed with the Chiefs or Chargers changing…latter are still owners of the best pro football uniforms in history those powder blues 1960’s. The claim that said is done in the interest updating for benefit newer fans, marketing rea$on$ etc. may be fact but doesn’t change my sentiment.

As with uniforms, I still think the most beautiful cars, music, other styles come from the past, beauty in the eye the beholder. Too, haven’t seen an league that has come close to matching the AFL’s artistic footprint design or impact… long may it live (and prosper, nod Mr. Spock; don’t get me started on the wasteland that is television circa 2013.)

: )