NFL Football

Football, Learn all about it!
What is a touchdown, points and drafts?

The rules of football as it is played today have changed from the very first game that was played in 1869. Prior to this time, football was actually known as soccer. Until a frustrated player decided to pick up the ball and run with it. He was tired of just using his feet!

The two teams that played this first game actually used the rules of rugby and it took seven years for football to develop in its own right.

Over the years some of the rules that have changed in football are:

In 1898, a touchdown changed from four points to five
In 1909, field goal dropped from four points to three
In 1912, a touchdown was increased to six points

Touchdowns in today's game

The primary method of scoring. The football must break the plane of the end zone by running it across or thrown to a receiver who stands in the end zone. Of course, after scoring the player will normally do some sort of outlandish dance or movement. Spiking the ball, high five, or jump into another players arms. In 2006, the rules were changed to include an automatic 15 yard penalty to players who leaves his feet during his celebration. Crazy!

Points in today's game

Touchdown - 6 points
Field goal - 3 points
Two point conversion - 2 points
Safety - 2 points
Extra Point or Point after touchdown - 1 points

Drafting Professional Players

The first NFL football draft was held in 1936 after this had become a sport made up of paid professional players. This helped the league achieve a competitive balance with the AFL, which was drafting players for the teams. In the latter part of the 1940's, the All-American entered the pro football arena and for this reason, the NFL instituted the best overall pick as a bonus selection in 1947. However, this was dropped in 1958. The draft itself became fierce competition between the NFL and the AFL as each one tried to get the best players. The draft was held as one event beginning in 1967 and then when the two merged, the Super Bowl began.

The quest for the Super Bowl begins in earnest in September, which is the start of the season. From then until the last Sunday in January or the first Sunday in February, sports news is filled with the stats of players and the games. The points scored by the players, even if their team doesn't make it to the Super Bowl, help in deciding which ones get awards at the end of the season.

Some of the awards that football players win include: