Birth of Pro Football
Latrobe’s 1897 Football Team
Brett Kerchner
Mr. Keesey
US History II
11 January 2010
American football has changed through the years and it was a long journey to get to where the sport is today. Football is a game played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular, 100-yard field with two goalposts on each end of the field. Teams score by carrying an oval ball across their opponents’ goal line or kicking the ball through their opponents’ goal posts. American football has become very popular and is a nationwide sport. In the early history of American football, the foundation of the rules, outstanding ability of individual players, and the leadership of the different coaches have all combined to create what is known as the National Football League (NFL).
Football grew from a variety of unorganized games where the ball was kicked, pushed, grabbed or jumped on. Modern football as we know it today has been developed from rugby. American football started on November 6, 1869 when Rutgers and Princeton played the first football game at College Field in Brunswick, New Jersey. Rutgers beat Princeton 6-4 and the game was played using modified London Football Association rules.
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A Yale undergraduate named Walter Camp had a big influence on the game. He was known as the “Father of American Football.” Camp was the driving force in reducing the number of players from fifteen to eleven, as well as having the size of the field reduced to 110 yards long by 53 yards wide. He was also responsible for creating “scrimmage” and the “quarterback,” as well as creating a way for one side to hold possession of the ball and a way to put the ball into play. In 1882, Walter Camp led a rule committee change that would require a team a gain five yards on three downs to keep the ball. Scoring was modified to four points for a touchdown and two points for a conversion.
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At the beginning, football was played by local athletic clubs. A former Yale player, William (Pudge) Hefflefinger became the first professional player when he was paid $500 to play in a game. Grant Dilbert, was signed the first pro football contract in 1893 by the Pittsburgh
Athletic Club. John Brailer accepted ten dollars to play for the Latrobe YMCA to become the first player to turn pro in 1896 and the Allegheny Athletic Association fielded the first complete professional team in 1897.
There were many players who helped to move the popularity of professional football forward. Jim Thorpe, a gold medal winner in the 1912 Olympics, was elected President of the American Professional Association because they hoped that his fame would help the league’s attendance. In 1925, Harold “Red” Grange of the Chicago Bears increased the attendance of the NFL because he was an excellent running back. Sammy Baugh invented passing game in the 1930’s where he threw for 1,127 yards for the Redskins.
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Competitive teams for young soccer players are increasing in popularity and attracting greater participation. As the number and variety of teams flourish, it becomes increasingly urgent for parents to investigate the suitability of the different programs for their children. Parents have the right and the responsibility to ask questions before allowing their child to participate on a competitive ...
In the 1950’s, there were many great record setting players. The legendary Johnny Unitas led the Baltimore Colts in the 1958 title game and became a superstar. The Cleveland Browns unveiled a running back by the name of Jim Brown who led the league in rushing as a rookie with 942 yards. There were some other fine runner in the league like Hugh McElenny, Frank Gifford, and Ollie Matson.
The outstanding players of the 1960’s and 1970’s included two quarterbacks and two running backs. Gayle Sayers of the Chicago Bears, a talented running back, led the league in rushing in 1966 and 1969. Joe Namath, the New York Jets quarterback guaranteed a win in the 1968 Super Bowl and delivered with a 16-7 win over the Baltimore Colts. Terry Bradshaw, also a quarterback, led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl titles between 1974 and 1979. The
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other outstanding player was a running back named O.J. Simpson of the Buffalo Bills. He was the first black player to gain 2,000 yards in one season.
The 1980’s featured two quarterbacks, two running backs and a wide receiver. Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers, was considered by many to be the greatest quarterback of all time. He led his team to four Super Bowl titles in 1981, 1984, 1988 and 1989. He was the Super Bowl MVP in 1981, 1984, and 1989. He was known for his ability to come from behind to win the game. In 1984, Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins passed for 5,084 yards and forty-eight touchdowns. Running back, Eric Dickerson, of the Los Angeles Rams rushed for 2,105 yards and Walter Peyton of the Chicago Bears moved past Jim Brown’s record with 13,309 yards. Finally, wide receiver Art Monk of the Washington redskins caught a record 106 passes.
The 1990’s decade had many outstanding quarterbacks. Troy Aiken of the Dallas Cowboys won two Super Bowls and Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers led the team to a Super Bowl win over the Dallas Cowboys 49-26. He led the NFC in passing after he replaced Joe Montana. By 1995 Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Farve became the NFC’s leading passer. He completed 359 of 570 passes for 4,413 yards and thirty-eight touchdowns. He also led the Packers to a Super Bowl win in 1996 over the New England Patriots by a score of 35-21.
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Besides players, there were also coaches like George Halas and Vince Lombardi, who influenced the game of American football. George “Papa Bear” Halas, who coached the Chicago Bears on and off from 1933 to 1967 was one of the great pioneers of pro football history. In 1959, Vince Lombardi was named the new coach of the Green Bay Packers where his teams won five NFL championships and Super Bowls I and II. In 1969, the great Vince Lombardi became the coach of the Washington Red Skins where he led them to a 7-5-2 record. He died shortly
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after the season from cancer at the age of fifty-seven. The 1960’s were known as the Vince Lombardi era.
Football has evolved over the last one hundred plus years because of the effort of the players and coaches who have made a big difference in how the game is played today. Winning is still the main goal of every player who puts on cleats. Pro football is a difficult game, played by tough men who work hard to excel. It is because of their increased ability to perform these skills that have been responsible for many rule changes that have occurred since the first football game was played. They all love the challenge and being part of a team. They work together for the same goal, which is to be a champion in the National Football League
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Cited Works
“ History: Chronology (1869 to 1839).” Pro Football Hall of Fame. Web. 8 Jan 2010.
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“History: Birth of Pro Football.” Pro Football Hall of Fame. Web. 8 Jan 2010.
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Madden, John. John Madden’s Heroes of Football: The Story of America’s Game.
New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 2006
Rathet, Mike, and Don R. Smith. Their Deeds and Dogged Faith. New York: Rutluge Books
Balsam Press, Inc, 1984.
“The Official Web Site of Vince Lombardi.” Vince Lombardi.com. Web. 8 Jan 2010.
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