Summary
Are you a fan of the NFL? Do you ever wonder why NFL is called football when the players hardly ever use their feet? Well, get ready to learn some fascinating history behind this beloved sport!
Discover the intriguing history of why the NFL is called football. From ancient China to modern-day America, this post explores the evolution of football and its impact on a global scale. Learn about the surprising origins of the name and how the game has transformed over time.
Find out how the sport has become one of the most beloved and popular sports in the world. This is a must-read for any football fan!
First off, did you know that football has been around for over 2000 years? That’s right, the first form of football was played in ancient China. Of course, the game has come a long way since then. Let’s take a journey through time and explore how football has evolved into the NFL we know and love today.
Football’s Origins: Ancient China and Medieval Europe
The earliest known form of football was played in ancient China during the Han Dynasty. The game was called cuju, which means “kick ball.” It was a game where players tried to kick a leather ball through a small hole in a piece of silk that was suspended between two poles.
Football eventually made its way to Europe, where it became popular during the Middle Ages. The game was quite different from the modern version of football we know today. For one thing, players were allowed to use their hands to carry the ball. In fact, the game was so rough that it was often banned by local authorities.
Football’s Evolution: From Rugby to the NFL
Football began to take on its modern form in the 19th century when it was split into two distinct games: rugby and association football (what we now call soccer). Rugby became popular in England, while association football spread throughout the rest of Europe.
In the United States, a new version of football was emerging. It was a mix of rugby and association football, and it quickly became popular at colleges and universities. The game was still quite rough, with players often getting injured. In fact, it was so dangerous that President Theodore Roosevelt threatened to ban it.
In response to the growing concern about player safety, a group of college coaches came together to form the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). They established new rules for the game, such as the forward pass and the use of helmets, that helped to make it safer.
The Birth of the NFL: Professional Football Leagues
With the game now safer, professional football leagues began to emerge. The first was the American Professional Football Association, which was founded in 1920. The league eventually changed its name to the National Football League (NFL), and it has since become one of the most popular sports leagues in the world.
The Name Game: Why NFL is Called Football?
So, why is it called football when the players hardly ever use their feet? What are the secrets behind why NFL is called football and the answer lies in the sport’s origins? Football evolved from rugby, which was played with an oval-shaped ball.
The ball was often carried, or “run,” by players as they made their way down the field. When a player successfully carried the ball over the opponent’s goal line, it was called a “touchdown.”
As the game evolved, players began to kick the ball more frequently. However, the name “football” stuck, even as the game changed to include more passing and less running. The name is now synonymous with the sport, even if it is a bit misleading.
Football’s Global Reach: Australian Rules and Soccer
Of course, the NFL is not the only form of football out there. There are many different versions of the game played around the world. One popular form is Australian rules football, which is played with an oval-shaped ball and combines elements of rugby and soccer.
Soccer, or association football, is also hugely popular around the world. In fact, it is the most popular sport in the world, with an estimated 4 billion fans.
