Picture yourself sitting in a Lazy-Boy sipping Coca-Cola from a 16-ounce returnable glass bottle, watching NBC on Sunday, November 17, 1968. It was a battle of two of the AFL's top teams as the New York Jets were squaring off with the Oakland Raiders. The Jets took a late 32-29 lead over the Raiders with 1:05 left to go in the fourth quarter. It might be lights out for the Raiders as the network cuts to commercial right after the New York score, as you munch on your Jiffy-Pop Popcorn waiting to see the final minute, plus you are miffed as the game never comes back on! In its place is the children's movie Heidi gracing the screen. What the Pigtails is going on in the game? There is no internet to turn to, and the AFL broadcasting on the radio across the country, probably not. You are in the dark. The next read you read in the local fish wraps that you and most of the rest of the country missed quite an ending. The Raiders had their way as they scored 14 points in those 65 ticks of the clock to win 43-32!
Oakland proceeded to score quickly after receiving the ball and things got exciting. New York was still in striking distance to surmount a comeback; however, on the kickoff, Earl Christy of the Jets fumbled the ball at the Jets just outside the 10-yard line as he was hit by Raider Bill Budness. Oakland's Preston Ridlehuber alertly scooped up the loose ball and ran across the goal line. George Blanda then trotted on to boot the extra point, giving the Raiders a 43–32 lead.
The NFL voted this as the 41st greatest pro game ever played.
