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Rugby Evolves into football
This was the year that rugby started using pads, eventually it turned into football. -
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Imacarrot
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The first paid player
The first paid football player was William Heffelfinger. He was paid $500 to play on the Allegheny Athletic Association's team in a game against a rival club, and he won the game for them -
The first pro team
The Latrobe Athletic Association became the first to host an all-pro team. They played a full season with only paid, professional players. -
Oldest pro team still around
Today they are known as the Arizona Cardinals, but in 1899 they started out as a neighborhood team on the south side of Chicago. They were called the Morgan Athletic Club, then the Normals, and were later changed to the Cardinals. -
An attempt at a professional league
A few professional baseball associations decided they would dip their toes into the pool of professional football. They attempted the first pro league, named the National Football league, but it wouldn't take hold for several more years. -
Changing rules
The rules of the game evolved over time. Field goals changed from five points to four points, and eventually three points; touchdowns were increased from five points to six points. -
An official pro league
Because of the changing rules, changing salaries, and players from all walks of life, the professional teams found themselves in turmoil. They decided a professional league with consistent rules was necessary, so the American Football Conference was created. -
The NFL
The American Football Conference officially changed its name on June 24, 1922. It became the National Football League. -
Bigger crowds and more fans
Football's popularity continued to grow. On Thanksgiving Day in 1925, over 36,000 fans gathered to watch a game between the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cardinals. -
The American Football League
After being denied his financial demands, football player Harold Grange started his own league named the American Football League. The AFL didn't gain popularity until around 1960, and it later merged with the NFL. -
Modern professional football emerges
The NFL had long followed college rules for American football. However, in order to modernize the game and create a better atmosphere for their own players, they changed the rules to fit their own style. -
A merging of leagues
Longtime rivals, the NFL and the AFL, made the decision to merge leagues. They now classify teams as the American Conference and the National Conference, but play by the same set of rules with a yearly playoff at the Super Bowl.
