The American Football League (AFL) was a professional football league that operated from 1960 to 1969. It was established to compete with the existing National Football League (NFL) and introduced a more open style of play, emphasizing passing and scoring. The AFL gained popularity and helped to grow the sport of American football across the United States. In 1970, the AFL merged with the NFL, creating a unified league that continues to operate today. This merger led to the creation of the Super Bowl, which pits the champions of both leagues against each other, solidifying the AFL's legacy in American sports history.