Changes

__NOTOC__[[File:4cfa9dfc804a63675b92e458ea0e9d1c.jpeg|thumbnail|300px|left|Figure 1. Depiction of <i>Episkyros</i>]]It is almost impossible to pick a date when American Football was invented. The invention of American football was incredibly gradual. Even though American football, while is a relatively young sport, it has slowly developed and evolved over a long history of development and evolutiontime. While we tend to think of it as a uniquely American sport, its origin and history demonstrate that it is complex and variedan evolution of sports that have been played since ancient times.

====The Early History of Football====Ball games or games involving an object a player possesses while others try to tackle or wrestle have a long history. We know of games such as <i>Harpastum</i>, which was Roman ball game probably similar to a Greek ball game called <i>Episkyros</i> (Figure 1). <ref>For more on these early Greco-Roman games, see: Nardo, Don. 1999. <i>Greek and Roman Sport. World History Series.</i> San Diego, CA: Lucent Books.</ref> We don't do not know the ext exact rules for each of these games but it seemed to involve a ball where two teams would try to score or place the ball in a position that would register the game's points while the other team would tackle and try to prevent the other team from scoring. In essence, the basic concept is the same as sports such as rugby and American football. AdditionallyDuring this time period, already the idea of using an air-filled ball had developed. Later in the Middle Age, in Europe, a type of ball game developed that had towns or cities competing with one another. In this game, which likely had different rules in various places, teams would form and a ball would be used where the goals were likey similar to <i>Harpastum</i>. This was a type of mob ball or mob football, where towns would try to have bragging rights by beating their rival towns. A few images from the Medieval period show it was a type of team activity.[[File:4cfa9dfc804a63675b92e458ea0e9d1c.jpeg|thumbnail|Figure 1. Depiction of <i>Episkyros</i>]]

==Later Developments==in the Middle Ages, in Europe, different types of ball games developed where towns or cities competing with one another. In these game, which likely had different rules in various places, teams would form and a ball would be used where the goals were likely similar to <i>Harpastum</i>. This was a type of mob ball or mob football, where towns would try to win bragging rights by beating their rival towns. A few images from the Medieval period show it was a type of team sport.<ref>For more on Medieval ball games, see: Curry, Graham, and Eric Dunning. 2015. <i>Association Football: A Study in Figurational Sociology.</i> Routledge Research in Sports History. New York: Routledge.</ref> Essentially, ball based games where people tackled each other have been around for a very long time.

====The Gradual Invention of American Football====[[File:1895 Auburn - Georgia football game at Piedmont Park in Atlanta Georgia.jpg|left|350px|thumbnail|Figure 2. Auburn vs. Georgia football game in 1895.]]Up until the 19th century, many version versions of what can be called mob football existed. In fact, this variety may have inspired alternative ideas about of football has muddled the development story of how American footballdeveloped, although but historians believe that the formation of American football was ultimately tied to the development of rugby. Older American universities, particularly Harvard and Yale, had developed student football traditionsthat resembled a cross between rugby and mob football.<ref>For more on the origins and influence of mob football, rugby, and other related sports see: <i>The DNA of Rugby Football A Short History of the Origin of Rugby Football</i>. 2015. Partridge Africa. </ref> These games initially had few clear rules except masses of students would play together and two sides would compete to possess a ball and try to achieve some win points with this ball. The games were more like soccer but much more violent. In fact, some places began banning the sports due to the excessive violence. Things began to change, however, by 1869, when Rutger and Yale played what effectively became known as the first intercollegiat football game. This game was still very different from American football but was a watershed because it standardized the game, with rules being set prior to the match. Furthermore, early coaches, names of positions, and many early strategies have their origin with this game, effectively making it a key moment in the history of American football. Nevertheless, scoring involved kicking the ball, which was the origin of the field goal, and the two teams each had 25 players. In 1876, an association of Harvard, Columbia, and Yale formed a group that formalized rules, although kicking was the way in which a team would score points. That was the year the first formal Thanksgiving game was also played. By 1875, or what became the touchdown, was invented. It was only by 1881 that the touchdown took precedent over the field goal. Throwing the football first occurred in 1895, which only emerged as a team was desperate to score before time ran out. By this time, many universities in the east coast and increasingly in the west coast began to adopt the emerging game of American football. However, this was still considered an illegal move and it was not until 1906 that the forward pass was formally adopted. By 1905, what became the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which helped to not only organize games around the country but helped establish more formal rules. By then, more than 432 cities had some form of American football team. Even the concept of the halftime show emerged by 1907 in Champaign, Illinois. The popularity may have reflect American social norms at the time, which included embracing leisure activities in greater numbers and the social Darwinian aspects of the game, which emphasized competition and fitness for the best teams.

In 1909Things began to change, however, by 1869, a touchdown worth six points when Rutgers and field goal worth three were introduced. At this point, American football developed more greatly Princeton played what effectively became known as the first intercollegiate football game was opened up more. In fact, as <ref>For more universities adopted on the first game and early history of American football, it also became an interest for universities to protect their players and studentssee: Whittingham, Richard. 2001. <i>Rites of Autumn: The Story of College Football</i>. New York: Free Press, pg. 30</ref>. A crisis in 1905-1906 led to the realization there needed to be changes in the rules in This game was still very different from American football to make but was a watershed because it less violent. Thusstandardized the game, many of the with rules were intended being set prior to protect players but they also helped radically change the match. Furthermore, early coaches, names of positions, and many early strategies have their origin with this game. It may seem ironic but , effectively making it was finding new rules to protect players that allowed a key moment in the history of American football to begin to look even more different from its rugby counterpart. In particularNevertheless, scoring involved kicking the ball, rules protecting which was the passer became origin of greater importance. Rules for catching the ball field goal, and who can catch the ball downfield were made easier by the 1910stwo teams each had 25 players. In fact1876, further crises an association of safetyHarvard, where at Columbia, and Yale formed a group that formalized rules, although kicking was the high school level many players died or were severely injuredway in which a team would score points. That was the year the first formal Thanksgiving game was also played. By 1875, influenced more reformswhat became the touchdown was invented. In particular, It was only by 1881 that the introduction of touchdown took precedent over the line of scrimmage and number of players that had to align there has its origin in this crisisfield goal. At times Throwing the football first occurred in the 1910s1895, American football which only emerged as a team was severely criticized for its excessive violence and what appeared desperate to be overly competitive behavior that emphasized winning at all costsscore before time ran out. World War I<ref>For more on the late 19th-century development of American football, howeversee: Coombs, in a way made those sentiments more popularDanielle Sarver, as competition and athletics were seen as ways for men Bob Batchelor, eds. 2013. <i>American History through American Sports: From Colonial Lacrosse to become better soldiersExtreme Sports</i>. This helped to make the game once again very popularSanta Barbara, Calif: Praeger.</ref>

==Emergence of By this time, many universities on the Modern Game==What ultimately became east coast and increasingly in the National Football League originated in 1920 as west coast began to adopt the emerging game of American Professional Football Association football (APFAFigure 2). Fourteen teams were the founding members but However, this was still considered an illegal move and it soon expanded to twenty-two. The collegiate game, however, continued to influence how the game was played. In particular in the 1930s, passing rules were modified further not until 1906 that arguably made the game more like the modern one. The removal of a penalty or loss of five yards for a second incomplete forward pass was formally adopted, although limitations existed with how it was applied and was still a loss minor part of possession for an incomplete pass in the end zone now made passing a more important factor in American footballgame. This By 1905, what became the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which helped to open up not only organize games around the game and subsequent rule changes country but helped to facilitate passing. The 1930s saw establish more formal rules and procedures in the APFA. A championship game , was added in 1932formed. By 1941 there was a commissioner. After World War IIthen, the NFL began to develop more teamsthan 432 cities had some form of American football team. In 1958, Even the concept of the championship game was broadcast live on TVhalftime show emerged by 1907 in Champaign, which turned out to be a key moment for the NFLIllinois. By 1959, the newer The popularity of football may have reflected American Football League had begun to compete with social norms at the NFL. This competitiontime, however, eventually led to the NFL merging with the AFL, as it found success which included embracing leisure activities in bringing high profile players. The merged system eventually formed what today are the NFC greater numbers and AFL within the NFL. During that time the rules did refine, although a lot social Darwinian aspects of the rules now adapted to television (e.ggame, timeouts), as audiences became to be a big part of which emphasized competition and fitness for the NFL's revenuebest teams and players.

The evolution of In 1909, a touchdown worth six points and a field goal worth three were formalized. At this point, American football has been varieddeveloped more greatly as the game was opened up more. Key influences were likely Greco-Roman games that left In fact, as more universities adopted football, it also became an interest for universities to protect their mark players and students. A crisis in Europe. With 1905-1906 led to the Medieval Period, those games emerged realization there needed to form be changed in the beginnings of what would become rugby and soccer (or rules in American football)to make it less violent. HoweverThus, within that many of the rules were intended to protect players but they also helped radically change the game.<ref>For more on the origins early 20th century developments of American football, see: Dyreson, Mark, and Jaime Schultz. 2015. In the United States, <i>American National Pastimes: A History</i>.</ref> It may seem ironic but it was concern over safety that led finding new rules to rules protect players that shaped what became allowed American football and how it differed to begin to look even more different from its European counterparts (i.erugby counterpart.In particular, rugby and soccer). The formalization of rules and social events such as war (e.g., World War I) further shaped protecting the sportpasser became of greater importance. The rapid expansion of popularity in Rules for catching the early 20th century eventually led to professional teams, which served as ball and who can catch the foundation of ball downfield were made easier by the modern NFL1910s. Along Further crises of safety, where at the way, rules high school level many players died or were refinedseverely injured, often influenced by the medium of televisionmore reforms.<ref>For more on injuries, see: Coombs, Danielle Sarver, and Bob Batchelor, eds. 2013. <i>American History through American Sports: From Colonial Lacrosse to Extreme Sports</i>. Santa Barbara, Calif: Praeger, p. 246.</ref>

In particular, the introduction of the line of scrimmage and the number of players that had to align there has its origin in this crisis. At times in the 1910s, American football was severely criticized for its excessive violence and what appeared to be overly competitive behavior that emphasized winning at all costs. World War I, however, in a way made those sentiments less important, as competition and athletics were seen as ways for men to become better soldiers. This helped to make the game once again very popular and allowed it to survive its crises years regarding safety.<ref>Watterson, John Sayle. 2000. <i>College Football: History, Spectacle, Controversy</i>. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, p. 143.</ref> ====The Emergence of the Modern Game====What ultimately became the National Football League originated in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA).<ref> For more on the emergence of modern professional American football, see: Delaney, Tim, and Tim Madigan. 2009. <i>Sports: Why People Love Them!</i> Lanham, Md: University Press of America, pg. 45.</ref> Fourteen teams were the founding members but it soon expanded to twenty-two. The collegiate game, however, continued to influence how the game was played. By 1922, the NFL was formally named. By the 1930s, passing rules were modified further that arguably made the game more like the modern one. The removal of a penalty or loss of five yards for a second incomplete pass and a loss of possession for an incomplete pass in the end zone now made passing a more important factor in American football. This helped to open up the game and subsequent rule changes helped to facilitate passing.  The 1930s saw more formal rules and procedures that further professionalized the NFL. A championship game was added in 1932. By 1941 there was a commissioner. After World War II, the NFL began to develop more teams. In 1958, the championship game was broadcast live on TV, which turned out to be a key moment for the NFL. By 1959, the newer American Football League had begun to compete with the NFL. This competition, however, eventually led to the NFL merging with the AFL, as the AFL found success in bringing high profile players. The merged system eventually formed what today are the NFC and AFC within the NFL. During that time the rules did refine, although a lot of the rules now adapted to television (e.g, timeouts), as audiences became to be a big part of the NFL's revenue.<ref>For a history of the NFL, see: Crepeau, Richard C. 2014.<i>NFL Football: A History of America’s New National Pastime. Sport and Society</i>. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.</ref> ====Conclusion====The evolution of American football has been varied. Key influences were likely Greco-Roman games that left their mark in Europe. With the Medieval Period, those games emerged to form the beginnings of what would become rugby and soccer (or football). However, within that were the origins of American football. In the United States, it was concern over safety that led to rules that shaped what became American football and how it differed from its European counterparts (i.e., rugby and soccer). The formalization of rules and social events such as war (e.g., World War I) further shaped the sport. The rapid expansion of popularity in the early 20th century eventually led to professional teams, which served as the foundation of the modern NFL. Along the way after the founding of the NFL, rules were refined, often influenced by the medium of television.<div class="portal" style="width:85%;">====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====*[[How did hunting become a symbol of the aristocracy/royalty]]*[[How did the marathon emerge?]]*[[How did the modern tennis emerge?]]*[[Who integrated the NBA?]]*[[How did the game of golf emerge?]]*[[Did Theodore Roosevelt really save Football?]]</div> [[Category:Wikis]][[Category:20th Century History]] [[Category:United States History]][[Category:Sports History]]{{contributors}}====References====<references/>