Football:
The American Football League (AFL) was started in 1960 as a competitor to the National Football League (NFL). The two leagues agreed to a merge in 1966. This partnership created the AFC and NFC conferences of the NFL we know today. The first AFL-NFL world championship game was played in 1967. It is now known as the Super Bowl.
Notable players/coaches: Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr, Don Shula, Joe Namath, Jim Brown, Jim Taylor, Y.A. Tittle, George Blanda, Tom Landry, George Wilson, Allie Sherman
Baseball:
Baseball enjoyed its place as America's game in the 1960's. Many of the players and their records still stand today as examples of baseball's shining era.
Notable players/coaches: Roger Maris, Hank Aaron, Don Drysdale, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Pete Rose, Willie Mays, Gil Hodges, Walter Alston
Basketball:
The Boston Celtics are synonymous with 1960's basketball. Professional basketball came into its own, and the NBA expanded from 8 to 14 teams in the 60's.
Notable players/coaches: Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Red Auerbach
Hockey:
The NHL doubled its size in 1967 with the addition of 6 additional teams. The 1960's also saw the implementation of face masksby goalies and the emerging discussion of helmets being worn by players. Neither of these would be mandated by the league until the 1970's.
Notable players/coaches: Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Bobby Orr, Stan Esposito, Gordy Howe, Toe Blake
Miscellaneous Sports Trivia
In 1960, Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to win 3 Olympic Track & Field gold medals.
In 1961, Gary Player became the first international golfer to win the U.S. Masters Tournament.
In 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single NBA basketball game.
In 1963, the LGPA championship tournament was televised for the first time.
In 1964, 22-yr old boxer Cassius Clay (aka Muhammad Ali) stuns the world and defeats Sonny Liston in the World Heavyweight Championship.
In 1965, Jack Nicklaus shoots a record 271 at the Masters Tournament to win at 9-under par.
In 1966, Ted Williams was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame and Billie Jean King won her first Wimbledon title.
In 1967, the world record in the mens' 200M butterfly is broken three times: Mark Spitz (July), John Ferris (August) and Mark Spitz (October).
In 1968, figure skater Peggy Fleming wins the only US gold medal at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France.
In 1969, the New York Jets beat the odds-favored Baltimore Colts at Super Bowl III in one of the biggest defeats in NFL history.