The 1969 Topps football was the final set released before the AFL-NFL merger. It is one of the most recognizable football sets created. Here are six essential cards from the set.

1969: The AFL and NFL were still almost two years away from their full merger, and everyone assumed the NFL was still far superior. Not so fast, my friend.

Gerry Philbin #81of the New York Jets looks on during player introduction before an AFL football game circa 1969. Getty Images He also was a Detroit Lions third-round pick in the NFL draft.

The NFL championship game has been called the Super Bowl since 1969, the third year of the annual championship game between the winner of the AFL and NFL professional football leagues, which later ...

For his pro career, Battle returned 53 punts for an average of 6.6 yards/return and 71 kickoffs at 23.1 yards/return. In 1970, the first season of the AFL-NFL merger, he led the Jets' new league with ...