The History Of American Football

By Joshbaker

  • Rule Standardization

    At the Massasoit convention, the first rules of American football were created. The "father" of American football is Walter Camp.

  • It's Official

    American football became an officail game other than just a game derived from rugby.

  • First Payed Player

    In a competition between the PAC (Pittsburgh Athletic Club) and the AAA (Alleghany Athletic Association), former Yale All-American guard, William Heffelfinger, the AAA payed him 500$ to play in a game against the PAC. The AAA won the game 4-0 by a PAC fumble being returned by Heffelfinger for a touchdown.

  • First All Pro Team

    The LAA becomes the first team to play an entire season with only pros.

  • Touchdown Becomes 5 Points

    A touchdown turns from 4 to 5 points.

  • Forward Pass

    The first completed forward pass

  • Feild Goal Goes From 4 to 3 Points

  • Touchdown Goes From 5 to 6 Points

  • The NFL Is Created

    The National Football League is created.

  • First Black Coach

    The first black head coach of an NFL team, Fritz Pollard, is introduced into the NFL.

  • The AFL Expands

    The AFL expands to having 22 teams.

  • A Big Team Number Change

    The NFL eliminates the financially weak teams, going from 22 teams to 12 teams. They tried to keep the teams in higher populated cities in the East.

  • The First Playoff Game

    The Chicago Bears and the Portsmouth Spartans tied. To determine a champion, the league voted to have a playoff game. Since it was so cold, it was held inside, and the league had to make some rule changes for that game.

  • Heisman Trophy

    The Heisman Trophy is created.

  • First Draft

    The NFL holds its first draft of college players.

  • NFL Segregation

    The NFL segregates the black players from the white players until World War 2.

  • First Televised Game

  • First Black Player In Years

    The first black player comes into the NFL since 13 years of whites only.

  • Helmet Logos

    The first helmet logos are used.

  • The First Super Bowl

    The first Super Bowl is held in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

  • First Halftime Concert

    Diana Ross is the first person to ever perform at halftime at an NFL game.