There are few game-action images of the line of scrimmage during football's early days showing the center (then called the snapper-back) snapping the ball by rolling it under his foot, as occurred in rugby. Snapping with the hands became legal in 1892.
Note that everyone is lightly padded, remains in a two-point stance, and a few wear goofy little hats. Meanwhile, the referee stands in the background in a full suit and tie, topped off with a bowler.
This is how it all began.
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