Timeline: HISTORY OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Nov 6, 1869

NOV 6, 1869 FIRST GAME OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL

In 1869 the first American football game were played between Rudgers and Princeton

Oct 19, 1873

OCT 19, 1873 THE FIRST RULE CHANGED OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Oct 18, 1880

OCT 18, 1880 THE FATHER OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL, WALTER CAMP

Walter Camp secured several rule changes like reducing the amount of players from 15 to 11 on each team.

Apr 2, 1881

APRIL 2, 1881 THE BLOCK GAME

A group of Princeton players realized that they could just snap the ball and drag out the game by holding onto the ball without gaining any ground for entire halves.

Oct 21, 1882

OCT 21, 1882 CHANGING FROM THE BLOCK GAME

a rule change was necessary to prevent this certain BLOCK GAME. In 1882 a rule was proposed that each team had 3 downs to advance the ball 5 yards.

Dec 28, 1905

DEC 28, 1905 NEAR END OF THE GAME

Despite all rule changes, the game remained as a very violent game and Theodore Roosevelt almost has to stop the game.

Apr 21, 1920

APRIL 21 1920 PROFESSIONAL ERA

the forst paid player to play in a game were in 1882, but in 1920 the National football leage (NFL), a group of professional teams was established as the American Professional Football Association, aimed to solved those problems.

Apr 21, 1958