Football fans in New York are eagerly awaiting the start of the NFL season, when their favorite teams take the field. But just who are the NFL teams in New York? This article will take a look at all the NFL teams in the Empire State and why they have become some of the most beloved franchises in the country.
The New York Giants and New York Jets
The first and most well-known NFL teams in New York are the Giants and Jets. The Giants, founded in 1925, play in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and boast a total of eight NFL championships. The team has had many star quarterbacks over the years, including Eli Manning and Y.A. Tittle, and some of the best players in NFL history have donned the famous blue and white, such as Lawrence Taylor and Frank Gifford.
The Jets, founded in 1959, play in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and their third and most recent championship win came in Super Bowl III in 1969. The Jets have had some iconic players, from Joe Namath to Richard Todd to Ken O’Brien.
The Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills, founded in 1959, are the only NFL team in upstate New York. The Bills have made four Super Bowl appearances and have won two American Football League Championships, the last in 1965, when they defeated the then San Diego Chargers. The Bills have an incredibly passionate fan base, and some of their most well-known players of all time include Hall-of-Famers O.J. Simpson, Thurman Thomas, and Jim Kelly.
The New York Sentinels
The New York Sentinels are a professional football team in the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL). Founded in 2014, the Sentinels play at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The team is made up mostly of former collegiate players who are trying to make it to the NFL, or former NFL players looking for a shot at redemption.
The Kings County Imperials
The Kings County Imperials are a semi-professional football team that played in the Empire Football League (EFL) from 1943 to 1972. The Imperials, who mostly played their home games at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, were one of the most successful and beloved teams of their era. Some of their most notable players include former NFL running back Billy Cannon and NFL Hall of Famer Emlen Tunnell.
Overall, New York is home to a total of five NFL teams, from the iconic Giants and Jets to the up-and-coming Sentinels. From the Bills down in upstate New York to the now-defunct Kings County Imperials of Brooklyn, football fans across the state have plenty of teams to root for. So whether you’re cheering for one of the Giants’ championships or the new-look Jets, you’re sure to find plenty of excitement in the NFL teams of New York.
