It is a common misconception that the National Football League (NFL) began using helmets to protect players in the late 1920s. The Early Years The National Football League was formed in 1920, and just like in any other sport, players wore little to no protective gear. This included helmets. In fact, it wasn’t until well…
The NFL has been playing Thursday night games since 2006, but the tradition actually dates back much further. Thursday night football first started in the 1930s as a way to promote interest in the game. Introduction The National Football League (NFL) began playing games on Thursday nights during the 2006 season. The league continued to…
When did the NFL change overtime rules? The answer may surprise you. Check out this blog post to find out when the change occurred and why. Introduction In the NFL, overtime is a way to extend the game and determine a winner if the score is tied at the end of regulation. The rules for…
When did the NFL change the overtime rules? This is a question that many football fans have been asking lately. The answer may surprise you. Introduction The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular sports league in the United States, and its popularity is only increasing. In 2019, the NFL brought in an average…
The national anthem has been a part of NFL games for decades, but when did it first start? We take a look at the history of the national anthem at NFL games. Introduction It is a tradition that is as old as the NFL itself. From the very first game played in 1920, the playing…
The NFL Cardinals first moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1960. Then, in 1988, the team moved to Tempe, Arizona. The Cardinals’ Origins in Chicago The Chicago Cardinals, today known as the Arizona Cardinals, are the oldest surviving professional football team in the United States. The Cardinals were founded in 1898 as an amateur football…
Packers fans have been wondering “when did the Green Bay Packers join the NFL?” We have the answer, and it might surprise you! 1919 On August 27, 1921, the Green Bay Packers were granted membership into the National Football League. This made them the first team from Wisconsin to join the NFL. The Packers were…
The Carolina Panthers joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1995. Carolina Panthers History The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL), as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference (NFC) South division. When did they come…
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1976 as an expansion team. When did the Buccaneers join the NFL? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1976. The team began play in the 1977 season. What was their first year in the NFL? The Tampa Bay…
A detailed history of how and when the AFL and NFL merged into one league, including the effects of the merger on both leagues. Introduction In 1970, the American Football League (AFL) merged with the National Football League (NFL). The AFL was founded in 1959 and consisted of ten teams. The NFL was established in…
Peyton Manning joined the NFL in 1998 as the first overall pick in the draft. He played for the Indianapolis Colts for 14 seasons before joining the Denver Broncos in 2012. Introduction Peyton Manning was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts as the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. He went on to have…
Bye weeks are a necessary evil in the NFL schedule. Here’s a look at when they started and how they’ve changed over the years. The History of Bye Weeks in the NFL NFL bye weeks first started in the NFL in the 1974 season. The reason for the bye week was to create more parity…