Who Invented the NFL?

If you're wondering who invented the NFL, you may be surprised to know that the answer is a bit more complicated than simply a person's name. To answer this question, one must first travel back in time and look at the early history of football. Football as we know it these days is a direct descendant from the game of rugby, which was introduced to the US in the late 1800's by our Canadian neighbors to the north.

In 1920, the American Professional Football Association was founded in Canton, Ohio and led by a man named Jim Thorpe. Thorpe was an athlete of legendary capabilities and was deemed the most logical choice for president of this new association. There were eleven teams, the majority of them being located in the midwest. At first, the APFA teams were playing against other teams not in the association. The next year, the association began releasing its standings and then in 1922, changed its name to the NFL, or National Football League. One could say that the NFL was invented by the APFA. If you had to come up with a name, the original president of the association, Jim Thorpe, would be a good choice.

In the twenties, the NFL could definitely not be called major. There were all sorts of small town teams that came and went. However, in the thirties, most of the small town teams were replaced by teams owned by large cities. The only exception to this at the time was the Green Bay Packers, a Super Bowl winning team that still exists in the NFL to this day. Back then, the NFL was in strict competition for popularity with college football. However after the second World War, professional football finally began to edge out college football as far as public interest was concerned.

From the 1950's on, the NFL became a huge part of American society. Then in the sixties, the first Super Bowl game was held. From then on, football fans everywhere have gathered together on Super Bowl Sunday to watch the year's two top teams face off for the ultimate prize -- the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the Super Bowl ring and the title of NFL champion. So, back to the question of who invented the NFL. While Jim Thorpe and the APFA can certainly be credited, the NFL was made what it is today by many people, such as the commissioners, coaches, players and fans who shaped the sport, and the league, into a true American institution.

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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