How Long Has the NFL Been Around?

The National Football League (NFL) was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA)

Introduction

The National Football League (NFL) is the oldest professional football league in the United States. Founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), the league changed its name to the National Football League in 1922 and has existed under that name ever since. The NFL also attracted several former college players who had grown tired of the amateur game.

History of the NFL

The National Football League (NFL) was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before renaming itself the National Football League for the 1922 season. The NFL is the oldest professional American football league.

Early history

The National Football League (NFL) was founded in 1920, when eleven teams from across the country came together to form what was then known as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). The first game of the inaugural season was played on September 26, 1920, between the Dayton Triangles and the Columbus Panhandles in Dayton, Ohio; it ended in a scoreless tie.

The APFA became the National Football League two years later, in 1922. The league continued to grow in popularity and size over the next two decades, with new teams joining and others disappearing through mergers or succumbed to financial difficulties. By 1960, the NFL had reached its current status as the largest and most popular professional sports league in the United States.

The modern era

The National Football League was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before renaming itself the National Football League for the 1922 season. The NFL consisited of 14 teams back then and played a regular season of 12 games per team. This ran from September until December, with a championship game being played in late December or early January.

The NFL first expanded to 16 teams in 1932 with the addition of the Boston Braves and the Portsmouth Spartans. In 1933, another two teams were added with the New York Giants and Detroit Lions joining. This saw divisional play being introduced for the first time, with there now being two divisions (Eastern and Western). A playoff game between divisional winners was then held to decide who would progress to the NFL Championship game.

This system remained largely unchanged for nearly 40 years, until 1970 when the NFL underwent one of its biggest ever expansions. It merged with its rival league, the American Football League (AFL), which had been founded in 1960. This saw 10 new sides join – the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The AFL teams would compete in their own division until 1977 when they were all placed into existing NFL divisions ( Eastern , Central , Western).

How the NFL has changed over time

The National Football League (NFL) was founded in 1920, making it nearly a century old. The NFL has changed a lot since it was first created, with new rules, new teams, and new players. Let’s take a look at how the NFL has changed over the years.

Expansion

In 1920, the American Professional Football Association was founded in Canton, Ohio. The association was created to standardize rules among the various professional football teams that were springing up across the country. In 1922, the APFA was renamed the National Football League.

The NFL has undergone several changes over the years. Teams have come and gone, and the league has expanded to include teams from all over the United States. The game of football has also changed, with new rules and regulations being put in place to improve player safety and enhance the fan experience.

Despite all of these changes, one thing remains constant: the NFL is America’s favorite sport.

Rule changes

In the NFL, change is a constant. From 1924, when Red Grange ran for 166 yards in his NFL debut, through 2017, when the Eagles won their first Super Bowl, the NFL has continuously evolved to meet the needs of its players, fans and business partners. Here’s a look at some of the biggest changes in NFL history.

The most significant change to the game came in 1978, when the league introduced radical new rules to encourage more passing. Before 1978, it was extremely difficult for quarterbacks to throw long passes because offensive linemen were allowed to use their hands to block defenders. This made it difficult for receivers to get open, and quarterbacks were often left running for their lives.

The new rules changed all that. They prohibited offensive linemen from using their hands to block defenders, except in certain circumstances. They also created a “neutral zone” between the offensive and defensive linemen, which gave quarterbacks more time to throw. These changes had a profound impact on the game, and today’s quarterbacks are some of the best in history.

Other important rule changes include:
-Allowing players to wear facemasks (1953)
-Opening up the game to include players from all racial backgrounds (1946)
-Making roughing the passer a personal foul (1999)
-Establishing a salary cap (1994)

Conclusion

The National Football League has been around for nearly a century, having been founded in 1920. The league has gone through many changes during its long history, but it remains one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world. With its rich tradition and exciting action, it is easy to see why the NFL has such a devoted following.