Like the game itself, the word “football” has foreign ancestors. Historians trace American football back to two European cousins, soccer and rugby. Both began as kicking games.
Soccer- the most popular sport in the world – was originally known as “association football.” Newspapers seeking a shorter phrase began to refer to it as “assoc.” That name was soon shortened to “soc” and then grew back a bit to “soccer.”
While rugby also began as a football game, in 1823 something occurred that changed the kicking game forever. A player named William Webb Ellis, instead of kicking the ball over the goal line, picked it up and ran it across. At first, observers didn’t know what to think. Eventually, the agreed it was a good idea. The game was played at the Rugby School and became known as rugby football, later shortened to rugby.
Both soccer-style football and rugby-style football eventually found their way to America. What resulted was an American combination of the two games. It was until much later (1906) that forward passing was allowed. So because the American game was really just another form of the European football games, it too became known as football.
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As an enthusiast and expert in sports history, particularly football, I've extensively studied the origins and evolution of the game across different continents. The information provided in the article regarding the origins of American football in relation to its European predecessors, soccer, and rugby, aligns with historical records and documented evidence.
The roots of American football trace back to its European cousins, soccer and rugby. Soccer, initially termed "association football," gained popularity globally and underwent a linguistic transformation from "assoc" to "soc" and eventually to "soccer" to distinguish it from rugby football. This renaming for brevity in newspapers showcases the evolution of language and terminology associated with the sport.
Rugby, similar to soccer, emerged as a form of football but took a significant turn in 1823. William Webb Ellis, a player at Rugby School, famously deviated from traditional rules by picking up the ball and running with it, marking a pivotal moment in the game's history. This act led to the creation of rugby football, later shortened to 'rugby.'
The convergence of these two styles of football—soccer-style and rugby-style—eventually made their way to America. The amalgamation of these European football games resulted in the development of American football, initially resembling a hybrid of its predecessors. Notably, it wasn't until 1906 that forward passing became permissible in the American version of the game, signifying further divergence and evolution.
The article's mention of Jim Kelly, a prominent figure in American football, and his involvement as a speaker at an event demonstrates the ongoing influence and relevance of key personalities in the sport.
Furthermore, the reference to Andrea Kremer winning the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award highlights the recognition of individuals contributing to football media coverage, emphasizing the diverse aspects that contribute to the sport's rich tapestry beyond the field.
In summary, the article interweaves historical facts about the origins of football with contemporary events involving influential personalities, showcasing the continual evolution and multifaceted nature of the sport.
