Today's Tidbit... The First Extra Point Conversion by Forward Pass?

When football adopted its point-based scoring system in 1883, kicking goals from the field (field goals) were primary. They earned five points, touchdowns were worth two points, and goals from touchdowns (extra points) were worth four points. Although touchdowns gave teams two points, they also gave a chance at a free kick for the try after the touchdown. (The defense had to stand in the end zone and could rush the kicker only after the holder placed the ball to the ground.)

Phillips Exeter attempts a free-kick conversion against Norwich U in 1908. The holder lies on his stomach and sets the ball on the kicker’s signal. It is not clear whether the ball cleared the crossbar on this attempt. (RPPC, Personal collection)

The point values we used today for each core method of scoring were in place by 1912, and the free kick for the extra point remained in place until 1922 as well. At that point, however, the extra point underwent a radical change. Instead of a free kick, the scoring team received the ball on the 5-yard line with the right to run one play from scrimmage. They could earn a point by carrying the ball across the goal line by run or pass, completing a pass into the end zone, or by making a contested kick, just like a field goal attempt. Although snapping to a holder for placement kicks on field goals had been around since 1896, not every team had an effective snapper, much less an effective kicker. (If the offense committed a penalty on a conversion play, they lost the right to earn a point, while a defensive penalty resulted in the offense receiving a point.)