The very first New York Titan, Don Maynard (born 1935) of Texas Western College (now University of Texas at El Paso) was an example of the lack of player-evaluation skills of NFL teams in the 1960s. Released by the Giants, he was signed by the Titans in 1960 and became an American Football League All-star and Super Bowl champion. With 72 passes in his first year as a Titan, he had 5 seasons with 50 or more receptions and 1,000 yards receiving. Maynard held the pro record for total receptions and yards receiving. A 4-time AFL All-star, he is 6th in all-time pro football td receptions. Maynard is member of the All-time All-AFL Team.
In the 1968 AFL Championship game against the defending American Football League Champion Oakland Raiders, Maynard caught 6 passes for 118 yards and 2 tds. That made the Colts so wary of him in Super Bowl III that, though he played injured and didn't have a reception, his very presence on the field opened up the Jets' offense. One of only 20 players who were in the AFL for its entire 10-year existence, and only 7 players who played their entire AFL careers in one city. Maynard is a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.
