Elliot Brumfiel - Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)- American Football has been around since 1869, when a game with Rutgers and Princeton took place in New Brunswick, NJ.

According to Pro Football Hall Of Fame, the game started with a round-ish ball, then in the 1870’s, transitioned into a Rugby style ball with tackling first introduced.

Later, in the 1880’s, Yale University’s Head Coach Walter Camp proposed rule changes, an 11-man team and a line of scrimmage as well as downs and the center snapping the ball.

In less than 15 years the game changed tremendously into ways that are still used today.

In 1905, Theodore Roosevelt saved the sport after 18 deaths, and over 130 major injuries occurred. He introduced more safety to save the sport and refused to let the game go.

A year later, the forward pass was legalized to help prevent injuries and provide a different strategy for success.

In 1912, first downs were invented as well as touchdowns being 6 points instead of 5. Each team now has four tries to get 10 yards to keep the drives moving.

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The professional sport has been growing ever since that day when the Dayton Triangles defeated the Columbus Panhandles in 1920.

In 1943, all players had to wear helmets; another action in favor of player safety.

In 1978, the “Mel Blount” rule was put in place meaning that after the ball is snapped, the cornerback is allowed to make physical contact within five yards of the line of scrimmage. It would help the defense with limiting yards.

In 1994, the 2-point conversion was added in which after the touchdown scored, each team has the option to either kick the normal extra point or go for two points with a normal play at the 2-yard line to get in the endzone.

Today, there are 32 teams in professional football with rules put in place over a century ago that are still used in every tackle football game.

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