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Credit of the invention of the football helmet went to U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Joseph M. Reeves, who had a protective device for his head made out of mole skin to allow him to play in the 1893 Army-Navy Game after he was told by a Navy doctor that he must give up football or risk death from another kick in the head.
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George Barclay added three straps to his helmet to help keep it in place and project from ear injuries.
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On December 28, 1905, sixty-two schools met in New York City to discuss rule changes to make collegiate football safer. March 31, 1906, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS) was officially formed, with Captain Palmer E Pierce of West Point as chairman and then appointed a rules committee. (NCAA)
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The New Rules Committee adopted a series of changes in hopes to reduce injuries and brutality.
1.) Three downs to make 10 yards
2.) Approved the restricted foward pass -
In 1910, the IAAUS because the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
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Rule Changes of 1910:
1.) Interlocking Interference is Abolished
2.) 7 Offensive Men on the Line of Scrimmage
3.) Liberalized the Forward Pass
4.) No Pushing and Pulling
5.) The Flying Tackle was Eliminated -
The first roughing-the-passer penalty is implemented.
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This pattern of the cushion optimized absorption and distributed the impact better, and they allowed for ventilation.
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It was a rubber-covered wire mask on a leather helmet.
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Riddell Company in Chicago started making helmets out of plastic.
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1939 was the first year that football helmets were a mandatory piece of equipment at the college level.
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1943was the first year that football helmets were a mandatory piece of equipment in the National Football League (NFL).
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Ball is dead or out of play as soon as any part of the ball carrier touched the ground with the exception of the hands or feet while in the grasp of the opponent.
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The concept of grabbing someone’s helmet’s face mask as a way to pull an opponent down with the exception of the ball carrier was banned. In 1962 grabbing the face mask of any player was banned.
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Goal posts must be offset from the goal line and painted in order to prevent players from running into them.
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A team will not be charged a timeout for an injured player unless the injury occurs in the last two minutes of either half.
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Rule Changes in 1977:
1.) Deacon Jones Rule
2.) Tom Dempsey Rule
3.) Defenders are only permitted to make contact with recievers once
4.) Defenders are not allowed to make contact with an opponent above the shoulders with the palm of their hands
5.) Offensive linemen are not allowed to thrust their hands into the head, face, or neck of a defender
6.) Wide receivers are not allowed to clip defenders -
Rule Changes in 1979:
1.) Prohibit blocking below the waist
2.) Prohibtion of wearing torn or altered equipment
3.) Officials whistle in timely manner
