Football



“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” A competative team sport played on a 100x45 yard field known to people around the world give this sport the proper name of football. Each team must try to score points by advancing the football into the opponent's end zone. Only 11 people are allowed on the field per team. The ball could be advanced by carring it (a running play) or throwing it (a passing play). Whichever team has the most points when time runs out is crowned the winner. To many people, when someone asks what's their favorite sport, they answer back with football.

In 1823, a group of boys from Princeton based the sport of football upon the english sport, Rugby. At first, the Princeton boys called the game "ballown," and no rules were established untill 1867. That year, football was patented for first time. In 1873, representatives from Columbia, Rutgers, Princeton, and Yale met together in New York to create the first intercollegiate football rules. As football progressed in popularity, it also progressed in aggresiveness. This led to a ban by some colleges due to the game's brutality. Almost 180 players attained serious injuries and 18 more died from playing the sport. In 1905, President Theodore Rosevelt called upon the original colleges, along with 60 others to another meeting to save the sport. This group took the appropriate name of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA. The NCAA had put in new rules in an effort to reduce injuries and even deaths. Today, people associate college football as one of the most popular games and thrills millions, for everyone wants to see their school dominate their division

Around 1895, the American Professional Football Association formed. Later in 1922, the group was reorganized and renamed the National Football league. During 1949, the NFL had ten teams. The APFA, on the other hand, consisted of twenty three teams before it became the NFL. In 1970, the first pro football association combined sixteen NFL teams with ten AFL teams to create one league with two conferences. In the 1980's, a further expansion was proposed and by the ninety three - ninety four NFL season, and the approval created a thirty-team league. The next step in the NFL would be the creation of eight different divisions, each with four teams. Arena Football, an indoor league played in the spring with eight man teams, debuted in 1987. It was essentially the same as football and for this reason, the game doesn't bring as much popularity or success as the NFL.

Football can be enjoyed no matter what age a person starts whether you are professional,or just playing for fun. An aspect about football that makes it especially enjoyable is getting to tackle people. In no other situation will you be able to run up to a person and dive at them head first. No other sport will let you sprint in pads and hit someone as hard as you can. This game really lets you let go of any problems and just rough people up. Another aspect of the game that attracts alot of people is the sheer competitiveness of the sport. There is no greater feeling than crushing your rival after a long and tough game. Football, throughout its history has always been enjoyed by people everywhere. It has changed the history of sports and provided entertainment for everyone.