Multiple people around the world often wonder about the particular question: why is American football called football?
Well, they are correct in a way as players in American football do not even use their legs. Actually, American football got its name from rugby which is its origin as well.
There are other multiple reasons as well why is football called football. You should be aware of the origin of American football in detail to understand why it is called football.
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The Origins Of Rugby Football
Now that you know that American football is rugby originated, why don’t you learn the origins of rugby? It is actually an interesting story.
In the 19th century, multiple public schools in Britain organized different ball games. They were kind of similar to the rugby and soccer, played in modern times.
Now, all those British teams had two teams and a ball to play the game. But they made multiple variations in the game as well.
The variations included tacking and handling of the players of the opposite team, using the hands during the matches, and a lot more things.
So, those matches were not played following any particular set of rules.
In 1863, many major public schools in Britain gathered to put these features right. There, they all agreed to make a particular set of rules and regulations.
This was how the Association Football or soccer was introduced to the world.
However, some small schools did not like those rules at all because there were no rules regarding the tough handling of the ball.
Therefore, the Rugby school decided to set its own rules. They here included harder tackling and handling of the ball. They also introduced the usage of an oblong ball.
Now, this oblong ball was easier to use than the ball in soccer. This game had been officially known as Rugby Football since then.
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Where Did American Football Originate?
You will find the history of American football in the earlier versions of Association football and Rugby Football. The popularity of Rugby Football was growing rapidly, just like Association Football or soccer.
In a short period of time, rugby spread all over the world including America. In soccer, a standard set of rules and regulations were always maintained.
But in Rugby football, there were multiple other interpretations in the game.
Now, American Football was born from multiple divisions of soccer and rugby football. Here, it will be unfair if we do not bring up the name, Walter Camp.
He was a coach and athlete at Yale University. Camp changed several rules in American football and was known as the “Father of American Football”.
The changes he made in American Football include the introduction of the scrimmage line, forward pass, blocking, and down-and-distance rules.
In the year 1869, Princeton was played the Rutgers University. This match featured 25 players on each team and a ball. Players of the match were not allowed to carry or pick up the ball.
Instead, they had to hit it with their feet and hands so that they could kick the ball into the goal and score points.
Multiple football matches were played between the colleges in America and they followed the rules and regulations set by the home team.
But then, officials from Rutgers, Princeton, Yale, and Columbia gathered and made a particular set of rules.
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What Is The Foundation Of The Modern Game Of American Football?
Modern football in America started to evolve in the year 1875. A football match was played between Yale and Harvard. That match was watched by the officials of Princeton.
The rules and regulations set in this match were kind of similar to that of original rugby football. Now, multiple colleges in the United States decided to play, following this particular set of rules.
This created the base of the modern game of American football.
All these became possible for Walter Camp, the father of American Football.
Why is American Football Called Football When You Play It With Your Hands?
The name of American Football does not indicate the fact that players will play it with their feet. Even though it is played using both hands of the players, it is called American Football.
You will also find that players will kick the ball to achieve the goal and score points.
But the actual fact is that American Football got its origin from Rugby Football. The older version of Rugby Football has now evolved into its modern form in America.
So, even though players play it with their hands, it is still called football in America.
Frequently Asked Questions-
Q1. Why American football is not popular in the world?
There are multiple reasons why American Football is not popular around the world or considered a global sport.
- The name, American Football is itself becoming a bar against its popularity around the world.
- You will find less excitement in American Football.
- The coaches of American football lack diversity.
- People get confused about the overcomplicated rules.
- American football includes too many players and fewer actions.
- Players of American Football are not identifiable globally.
- NFL is not recognized globally yet.
Q2. What is American football really called?
American football is also called gridiron. It is a football game that is played by two teams. Each team is made of 11 players. The match is played in a rectangular field along with 2 goalposts at every end.
Q3. How did American football get its name?
American football got its name from rugby which is its origin as well. The name of American Football does not indicate the fact that players will play it with their feet.
You will also find that players will kick the ball to achieve the goal and score points. But the actual fact is that American Football got its origin from Rugby Football.
The older version of Rugby Football has now evolved into its modern form in America. So, even though players play it with their hands, it is still called football in America.
Final Thoughts
Even though American Football has derived its name from Rugby Football and it is not popular around the world yet, you will surely love to watch the matches in American Football.
People of America regularly watch these football matches and they love them a lot. Though there are fewer actions in the matches, they are enough to make the audience thrilled during the match.
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