Why Is American Football Called Football When They Carry the Ball?

Why Is American Football Called Football When They Carry the Ball?

Unearthing the rationale behind labeling American Football as such demands a foray into the annals of its genesis, exploring its roots and evolution.


When They Carry the Ball?


The Genesis of Rugby Football

In the 19th century, British public schools engaged in an array of ball games akin to present-day soccer and rugby. While each featured two teams and a ball, significant divergences existed-varying from hand usage to tackling methodologies. This lack of standardized rules prompted a meeting in 1863, where major public schools converged to establish a uniform set of regulations. This consensus birthed what we now recognize as Association Football, commonly known as soccer.

Nevertheless, a dissenting faction, led by Rugby School, dissatisfied with the new game's lack of robust tackling, devised their own set of rules permitting more aggressive tackling, increased ball handling, and the adoption of an oblong ball for enhanced throwing capabilities. This distinctive rendition evolved into the sport officially known as Rugby Football.


The Migration of Rugby Football to American Soil

In parallel to soccer, rugby gained traction, particularly in UK public schools, spreading globally. Unlike soccer, however, rugby grappled with diverse interpretations of the game. Within the UK, debates over maintaining the amateur status of the sport versus embracing professionalism led to the schism between the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League. Meanwhile, diverse interpretations proliferated in the USA.

In 1869, Rutgers University clashed with Princeton in a game featuring two teams of 25 players, employing a round ball that prohibited carrying but allowed striking with hands and feet to score points. Various clashes between American colleges followed, each adhering to distinct home team rules until representatives from Yale, Princeton, Rutgers, and Columbia convened, devising a standardized rule set that, among other things, forbade ball carrying.


The Genesis of Modern American Football

The transformation into modern American Football commenced after a pivotal 1875 encounter between Harvard and Yale, observed by Princeton officials. This match adopted rules reminiscent of the original Rugby Football, serving as the foundation for the sport's evolution in major US colleges. Notably, Yale luminary Walter Camp, heralded as the 'father of American Football,' played a pivotal role in steering this transformation.


Decoding the Moniker 'American Football'

The nomenclature of American Football belies its predominant use of the feet in gameplay. While kicking is integral, the name echoes its lineage from Rugby Football, metamorphosing into a distinctly American form.

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