The History of the NFL or National Football League goes back to the 1960’s, although the game itself stems back much further. It is said to have derived from a game played by the ancient Greeks, this was called Harpaston. The game could have an unlimited number of players and would involve moving the ball across the line using any method.
Players could kick, throw or run the ball across the line to score. The rougher elements of the game can be attributed to the way American football is played today, with ferocious tackles and serious injuries.
If you think about the way in which American football is played, it can be likened to a mixture of soccer and rugby which are played in most countries of the world.
The first professional game of American football was played in 1895 in Latrobe Pennsylvania. It then gained in popularity over the years, being played in colleges and army establishments all over the country.
The actual National Football League (NFL) was the brainchild of the legendary athlete Jim Thorpe. He was a very successful athlete and was very competent in many varied sporting events. Winning gold medals in the 1912 Olympic events such as the pentathlon and decathlon seemed second nature to him.
Although Jim Thorpe was such a success, not only in athletics but many other sports, he played Football for the Canton Bulldogs and the Leo Lyons. He was also the coach of both teams and they played in the American Professional Football Association (AFL). There were many teams in this league and the games did see many spectators coming to watch, but things were about to change. Jim Thorpe finally got his way and in 1922, the National Football League took over the proceedings.
