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This lifespan of the National Football League (NFL) has been filled with unforgettable moments! From last-second victories to impactful mergers and everything in between, the NFL has captured the hearts (and support) of Americans and non-Americans worldwide. Iconic plays like "The Catch" and Franco Harris’ "Immaculate Reception" have changed sports history. Additionally, upsets like the Jets' Super Bowl III triumph and the Giants’ victory over the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII remind us that anything is possible in football.

Curious to see which moments changed history? Click through now.

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Organized professional football started in 1920 in Canton, Ohio. It was originally known as the American Professional Football Association or APFA. On June 24, 1922, it was reorganized into the National Football League.

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Bert Bell was the co-owner of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1935 but he was struggling with attracting top talent. He proposed that the NFL try out a draft where different teams could secure better players and give more teams a fighting chance.

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ABC Network aired the very first 'Monday Night Football' game on September 21, 1970. It showcased the New York Jets and the Clevland Browns. This seriesl made the sport more accessible to homes around the country.

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On November 19, 1978, the New York Giants were leading in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. During the final minute, the Giants quarterback fumbled the ball and the Eagles scooped it up, ran to the end zone, and won the game.

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On March 11, 1986, The NFL adopted instant replay to help referees out with calls during games. Before this, games could be called incorrectly and based only on seeing a play live.

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When the Buffalo Bills face the Tennessee Titans, formerly the Houston Oilers, unexpected endings seem to follow. For example, in 2000 during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game, a last-second trick play, later debated for its legality, led the Titans to victory after the Bills had just taken the lead with 16 seconds remaining.

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On December 31, 1967, the Ice Bowl game was played between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. The temperature that day was -15 degrees Fahrenheit (-26 degrees Celsius). The Packers won the game 21 to 17.

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On December 23, 1972, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders faced off. At the end of the game, the Raiders were up by one point until there were about 30 seconds left on the clock and quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass downfield. The pass ricocheted over to The Steelers' Franco Harris and they ended up winning.

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January 11, 1987, the Denver Broncos and Clevland Browns played at the Cleveland Municipal Stadium. In about five minutes, Broncos' quarterback John Elway led his team 98 yards in 15 plays to tie the game.

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In football, a wild card team refers to a team that qualifies for the playoffs without winning its division. Instead of earning a playoff spot by having the best record in their division, wild card teams have one of the best overall records among non-division winners in their conference.

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On January 10, 1982, the NFC Championship game feautred the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys were winning 27 to 21 heading into the final minutes of the game. That's when 29ers quarterback Joe Montana threw a pass to Dwight Clark and ultimately won the game.

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The NFL decided to hold the 1976 draft (and those to follow) in April and May. Moving the draft back from January or February gave scouters more time to complete their work.

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Buffalo Bills' Frank Reich orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history on January 3, 1993, when he led his team to overcome a 32-point deficit against the Houston Oilers in a wild-card playoff game. The Bills won 41-38 in overtime after an interception by Henry Jones set up Steve Christie's game-winning field goal.

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On November 17, 1968, The New York Jets were winning 32 to 29 against the Oakland Raiders. With only one minute and thirty seconds left in the game, NBC cut the game off and started showing the movie 'Heidi.' However, the Raiders scored two touchdowns in the final moments and won. This game was the turning point that convinced networks to air the entire game even if the allotted three hours were over.

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Starting in August 2016, several American athletes, primarily African Americans, began kneeling during the US national anthem to protest systemic racism in the country. Later in 2017, many players expanded their protests to include opposition to President Donald Trump's criticism of the movement, as well as some of his policies during his time in office.

At that time, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick deliberately sparked controversy by choosing not to stand during the national anthem, explaining: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color." His decision, as a former Super Bowl starting quarterback, is widely thought to have cost him his career.

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The NFL Network debuted in November 2003. The network provided football fans with all the football they could consume! From replays to live games and much more, football fans rejoiced.

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Arguably one of the best draft classes in NFL history happened in 1974 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They had four future Hall of Fame players: Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster.

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The American Football League and the National Football League agreed to complete their merger and a championship game between the two leagues became a part of this final agreement.

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For a while, football fans thought of the AFL as an inferior brand of football. However, in Super Bowl III, the New York Jets challenged that claim and took home the win.

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The NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) reached a historic agreement on July 25, 2011. It ended a 136-day lockout and marked the conclusion of one of the longest labor disputes in NFL history.

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The merger of the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) in 1970 was a landmark event in the history of professional football. It established the NFL as the dominant professional football league and laid the foundation for modern American football.

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In 2000, during Super Bowl XXXIV, the Tennesse Titans played the St. Louis Rams. During most of the game, the Rams led in points, and during the last play of the game, the Titans came up only one yard short which meant the Rams won their first Super Bowl.

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The New England Patriots were so close to having the perfect winning season. They only needed to defeat the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. However, the game was a challenging one and the Patriots lost, leaving them one game short of the perfect season.

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The Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants faced off in the 1991 Super Bowl XXV. The Giants won by one point after Scott Norwood's 47-yard field goal was missed for the Bills.

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The NFL decided to resume games on September 23, 2001, following the September 11 attacks. The games brought emotional and healing moments across the country. For example, there was the heartfelt reception the New York Giants received from the Kansas City Chiefs during their game that year.

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In 1972, the Miami Dolphins became the first and only NFL team to achieve a perfect season, finishing 17-0, including a Super Bowl victory.

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In the 2018 NFC Divisional Playoff game, with just 10 seconds left and down 24-23, the Vikings quarterback Case Keenum threw a pass to Stefon Diggs. He then avoided a tackle and ran 61 yards for the game-winning touchdown. This stunning last-second play is known as the "Minneapolis Miracle."

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On Thanksgiving night 2012, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez ran into his own lineman's backside during a botched play, causing a fumble that the Patriots returned for a touchdown. Known as the "Butt Fumble," this infamous moment has become a lasting symbol of the Jets' struggles.

Sources: (Bleacher Report) (ESPN) (Pro Football Hall of Fame)