By Darin A single day in May can alter the course of sports history forever. On May 17, 1969, the “Old Guard” of the NFL shook hands with the upstart AFL, as the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a franchise-altering move that birthed the modern AFC. But the legacy of this date stretches back even further to the birth of Clarence “Ace” Parker, a man so talented he conquered two professional sports and played in the first-ever televised football game. From boardroom mergers that created Super Bowl dynasties to the era of the legendary “Iron Men,” this is the story of how May 17 shaped the game we love.
May 17 American Football History Timeline
- May 17, 1969 – Three NFL franchises, the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns & Pittsburgh Steelers, all agreed to go from the NFC to join the 10 AFL franchises in the new American Football Conference in the NFL as part of the merger of the two rival leagues.
The Newspapers.com Football History Headline of the Day comes from the Clarion-Ledger in Jacksonville, Mississippi, which placed in boldface print:
The article states that the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns & Pittsburgh Steelers all agreed to move from the NFC to join the 10 AFL franchises in the new American Football Conference in the NFL as part of the merger of the two rival leagues. NFL President and owner of the Browns, Art Modell, stated that the relocation of the three longtime NFL teams was intended to balance the two conferences. It is interesting, in retrospect, how much it also shifted the power of the conferences: in the decade following the transfer, Baltimore and Pittsburgh accounted for 5 of the 10 Super Bowl Titles.
May 17 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Happy Birthday to these gridiron legends! Since today is May 17, we celebrate the birthday of one of the most versatile athletes to ever touch a football—Ace Parker—along with a “Super” replacement and a modern passing icon.
Here is the list in order of birth:
- Clarence “Ace” Parker [1912] A true “sixty-minute man,” Parker was a triple-threat star at Duke who excelled as a runner, passer, punter, and defensive back. The 1940 NFL MVP for the Brooklyn Dodgers, he famously played pro baseball for the Philadelphia Athletics simultaneously and was the first player to hit a home run in his first MLB at-bat as a pinch-hitter.
ACE PARKER
- Earl Morrall [1934] The ultimate “super-sub” in NFL history, Morrall was born on this day in Muskegon, Michigan. While he was a Pro Bowl starter in his own right, he is best remembered for his legendary relief work, stepping in for an injured Johnny Unitas to lead the 1968 Colts to Super Bowl III and replacing Bob Griese to keep the 1972 Dolphins’ “Perfect Season” alive.
- Steve McMichael [1957] Known as “Mongo,” this ferocious defensive tackle from the University of Texas was a cornerstone of the 1985 Chicago Bears’ “46 Defense.” A 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, McMichael’s combination of strength and relentless personality made him a beloved figure in Chicago and a two-time First-team All-Pro.
- Matt Ryan [1985] The man known as “Matty Ice” celebrates his birthday today. The 2016 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, Ryan led the Atlanta Falcons to Super Bowl LI and finished his career in the top ten of nearly every major passing category, including passing yards and completions.
Conclusion
Whether it was the strategic realignment that turned the Steelers into an AFC powerhouse or the multi-sport heroics of Ace Parker, May 17 stands as a monument to football’s evolution. These milestones bridge the gap between the leather-helmet era of the 1930s and the high-stakes business era of the AFL-NFL merger. As we look back on Parker’s 105-yard returns and Art Modell’s conference-balancing act, we see the foundation of the modern NFL: a blend of undeniable individual talent and visionary league structure.