HISTORY(Technical Game)

Technical History

1875 - Play Ball

• The first official game ball emerged. It was an egg-shaped, leather covered rugby ball. The field was reduced to 100 yards plus end zones. Teams played with 15 players on each side.

1882 - Downs System Applied

• System of downs was first used. The offense had three downs to make five yards. Over the next three years a number of rules were changed or added including player substitutions, points system (a field goal was worth five points, a touchdown and conversion was worth four points, and safety was worth one point).

1885 - Here Come the Zebras

• For the first time in football history, an official was used to regulate and referee games.

1898 - Scoring change

• A touchdown was changed from four points to five points.

1904 - Field Goal Change

• The field goal, which for the previous five seasons had been worth as many points as a touchdown (5), was changed to four points. The rule changed in 1909 to the present scoring system of three points for a field goal.

1906 - The Forward Pass is Legalized

• On October 27,pro football's first legalized forward pass completion came in a game between Massillon and a combined team from Benwood-Moundsville. Massillon's George Parratt connected with teammate Dan "Bullet" Riley. Utilizing this new dimension of ball advancement, Massillon defeated Benwood-Moundville.

1937 - NCAA & Statistics

• The NCAA began taking official statistics for the first time in football. The star of that season was Colorado's Byron "Whizzer" White. White led the nation in four categories: rushing, total offense, scoring, and kick scoring.

1973 - It's All in the Numbering

• The NFL implemented a numbering system: 1-19 for quarterbacks and specialists, 20-49 for running backs and defensive backs, 50-59 for centers and linebackers, 60-79 for defensive linemen and interior offensive linemen other than centers, and 80-89 for wide receivers and tight ends. However, players who had been in the NFL since 1972 could continue to use their old numbers.

1982 - Quarterback Sacks Become Official

• The NFL officially recognized quarterback sacks as a statistic.

1994 - NFL to Go for Two

• The NFL adapted the two-point conversion following touchdowns. Before teams could only go for the point after touchdown, worth one point.