History of American Football
Early Years (1869-1939)
Rutgers and Princeton played the first ever college soccer football game on November 6, 1869. The game used modified London Football Association rules. Over the next 7 years, rugby gained more popularity over soccer and the game of football began to develop more from rugby. Up until 1921, football was in a state of confusion. Games continued to be played but players continuously changed teams and rules evolved. In 1921, the APFA was reorganized. After 1921, football continued to be played with the relocation of some franchises.
A little later (1940 - 1959)
In 1940, the American Football League (AFL) was formed. The league was made up of 6 teams and by 1959 there were 7 teams. In 1942, in the midst of World War 2, many teams lost players and coaches for their service in the military. Most famously, the Chicago Bears. Head Coach George Halas left the Bears midseason to join the Navy which raised doubts about the team's season. In the end, the Bears went on to win the NFL Championship against the Washington Redskins, 14-6. On the other hand, uniform changes (mostly having to do with helmets and padding) were made in 1948 and more followed in years to come, prohibiting plastic helmets and replacing referees' horns with whistles.
Super Bowl (1967 - today)
Super Bowl I was played in 1967 between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs. The Super Bowl was created for the champion of the NFL and AFL to face each other. This game was played between the two leagues up until 1970 when the NFL and AFL combined. This year, Super Bowl 50 will be played in Santa Clara, California between the NFC Champion and AFC Champion.
Football Today
The NFL and game of football has changed greatly over the past 90 years. Everything from uniform changes, rules, schemes, and simply viewing the game has evolved. After factoring for inflation, ticket prices have raised hundreds of dollars. Super Bowl Sunday has been dubbed an unofficial holiday in the United States and is second behind Thanksgiving Day in food consumption. This proves how much money is spent on the game of football and the activities that surround it.
Bart Starr
Bart Starr in considered one of the best football players of all-time. Starr played QB for the Green Bay Packers, leading them to 2 Super Bowls and a total of 10 NFL Championships. He is one of the most widely-known NFL players ever and earned a reputation as an "Iron Man" in the 1960's.