American football grew out of rugby and soccer-style games played at U.S. colleges in the 1800s. The game played between Rutgers and Princeton in 1869 is often called the first college football game, although it looked far more like soccer. Over the following decades, rule changes turned it into a distinct sport, above all Walter Camp’s line of scrimmage and system of downs in the early 1880s and the legalization of the forward pass in 1906. Professional football took shape in the early 1900s, the league that became the NFL was founded in 1920, and the merger with the AFL in 1970 created the modern league and the Super Bowl era.
Origins: from rugby and soccer to a new game
In the mid-1800s, American colleges played a variety of kicking and running games with rules that differed from campus to campus. The 1869 Rutgers versus Princeton game used rules closer to association football, with players advancing the ball mainly by kicking. Harvard, however, favored a rugby-style game that allowed running with the ball. Games between Harvard and McGill University of Montreal in 1874 introduced more rugby elements, and other colleges soon followed. In 1876, representatives of several eastern colleges met to agree on common rules based largely on rugby, laying the groundwork for a national college game.
Key milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1869 | Rutgers and Princeton play what is often called the first college football game |
| 1874 to 1876 | Harvard and McGill games spread rugby-style rules; college rules conventions follow |
| 1880s | Walter Camp introduces the line of scrimmage and the system of downs |
| 1892 | William “Pudge” Heffelfinger is paid to play, often cited as the first professional player |
| 1906 | Forward pass legalized amid safety reforms |
| 1912 | Four downs to gain 10 yards; touchdowns become worth six points |
| 1920 | American Professional Football Association founded; renamed the NFL in 1922 |
| 1960 | American Football League (AFL) begins play |
| 1967 | First AFL-NFL World Championship Game, later known as Super Bowl I |
| 1970 | AFL and NFL complete their merger |
Walter Camp and the birth of American football
Walter Camp, a player and later coach at Yale, is often called the father of American football. Through his work on college rules committees in the late 1870s and 1880s, he helped introduce changes that separated the American game from rugby. The line of scrimmage replaced the rugby scrum, giving one team clear possession of the ball at the start of each play. Teams were reduced to 11 players per side. To stop teams from holding the ball indefinitely, Camp’s committee introduced the system of downs, originally requiring a team to gain 5 yards in three downs. Scoring values, tackling rules and field markings also evolved during this period, and the grid-like chalk lines gave rise to the name gridiron.
The safety crisis and the forward pass
Early football was dominated by mass formations, such as the flying wedge, in which players locked together to push the ball carrier forward. The game became notoriously violent, and serious injuries and deaths drew national criticism. In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt urged college leaders to reform the sport. Over the next year, colleges formed the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States, which became the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1910. Reforms in 1906 included legalizing the forward pass and increasing the yardage needed for a first down. Early forward passes came with restrictions and penalties, so passing took years to become central to the game. In 1912, the rules settled on four downs to gain 10 yards, and the touchdown became worth six points, both of which remain today.
The rise of professional football
While college football drew huge crowds, athletic clubs and town teams, particularly in Pennsylvania and Ohio, began paying players in the 1890s. Records show that Pudge Heffelfinger was paid to play for the Allegheny Athletic Association in 1892, which is why he is often cited as the first professional player. In 1920, team representatives met in Canton, Ohio, and formed the American Professional Football Association. The league was renamed the National Football League in 1922. Early professional football was unstable, with teams frequently joining and folding, and it was far less popular than the college game for many years.
Growth of the NFL and the AFL rivalry
The NFL gradually built stability and popularity. In 1933, it split into two divisions and began holding a championship game. The 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants, decided in overtime and watched by a large national television audience, is often credited with boosting the sport’s popularity on television. In 1960, the rival American Football League began play and competed with the NFL for players and fans. The two leagues agreed to merge in 1966, and from the 1966 season they played a championship game between their champions. The first game, played in January 1967, saw the Green Bay Packers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs; it was later known as Super Bowl I. The merger was completed in 1970, with the leagues reorganized into the American Football Conference and National Football Conference.
The modern era
Since the merger, football has grown into one of the most popular sports in the United States. Rule changes have continued to shape the game, including changes that encouraged passing and many safety rules aimed at protecting players, particularly from head injuries. Television contracts, the Super Bowl’s status as a major annual event and the enduring popularity of college football have made the sport a central part of American culture. The game has also spread internationally through leagues, international games and flag football, which is scheduled to appear at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
How to explore football history
- Visit the halls of fame. The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta cover the sport’s major figures and moments.
- Read team and league histories. Official NFL and college athletic department sites offer detailed timelines.
- Watch classic games. Archival footage shows how formations and strategy have changed.
- Compare old and current rulebooks. Seeing how rules evolved explains much of the modern game.
Common misconceptions
- The 1869 game was modern football. It was much closer to soccer and used rules unlike today’s game.
- Football was always about passing. The forward pass was not legal until 1906 and took decades to become dominant.
- The Super Bowl has always been called the Super Bowl. The first games were officially called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game.
- The NFL began as the NFL. It started as the American Professional Football Association in 1920.
Note: dates and details in early football history sometimes vary between sources, especially for the 1800s. For official records, consult the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the NCAA and league archives.
Frequently asked questions
When was the first football game played?
The Rutgers versus Princeton game of November 6, 1869, is often called the first college football game, though it resembled soccer.
Who invented American football?
No single person invented it, but Walter Camp is widely called the father of American football for his rule changes.
When did the forward pass become legal?
The forward pass was legalized in 1906 as part of safety reforms.
