No, the Patriots joined the NFL during the 1970 AFL/NFL merger but the league went back to the 1920's with current teams like the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers
No team has ever played in the Super Bowl as an AFC team and NFC team, however ... The AFL-NFL merger took place prior to the 1970 season. At the time, there were 10 teams in the AFL and 16 teams in the NFL. To make an even number of teams in each new conference (AFC and NFC) three teams that played in the NFL and would have become NFC teams became members of the AFC. These teams were the Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns. Four Super Bowls, then known as the AFL-NFL Championship Game, had been played prior to the merger. The Baltimore Colts represented the NFL in Super Bowl III and then in Super Bowl V, the first Super Bowl after the merger, they represented the AFC. So, the Baltimore Colts played in Super Bowls as an NFL team and an AFC team.
When the NFL-AFL merger went into effect in 1970, three longtime NFL teams -- the Baltimore Colts, the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers -- joined the former AFL teams in the new American Football Conference. The Colts, the Browns and the Steelers were given an incentive. Each team was paid $3 million by the expanded NFL to move to the AFC.
When the NFL-AFL merger went into effect in 1970, three longtime NFL teams -- the Baltimore Colts, the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers -- joined the former AFL teams in the new American Football Conference. The Colts went on to win the AFC title and Super Bowl V.
it was a merger with the nfl and afl which eventually turned the NFC and AFC and into the nfl.
Indiana
In 2002 the NFL realigned the league because of the addition of the Houston Texans. Prior to 2002, there were 31 teams in the NFL. With the addition of the Texans, there were now 32 teams. 16 teams in each conference, 4 teams per division, the NFL split up the league into the new order, trying to preserve as any regional and historical rivalries as possible.
They were a charter member of the AFL in 1960 and were part of the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
As of 2014, there are 3. Miami Dolphins (entered the league in 1970 AFL merger), Tampa Bay (1976) and Jacksonville (1995).
Steelers
The AFL and NFL merged before the start of the 1970 season.
The Dolphins joined the NFL when the AFL-NFL merger took place prior to the 1970 season. The Dolphins first season in the AFL was 1966 and were a member of the AFL East Division from 1966-1969.