I remember college football celebrating its centennial in 1969, with many schools sporting football shaped “100” helmet decals. Can you elaborate on your distinction between 1869 and 1876? I presume it has something to do with the rules. Thanks.
Admittedly, I thought 1869 was the start of football until "I did my own research." The 1869 Princeton-Rutgers games were not rugby or football. The games involved 25 players who could not carry the ball and were more like Association football or soccer. The IFA formed in 1876 and adopted Rugby Union rules with a few modifications. From that point, there has been a consistent modification of those rules under the IFA, the University Club, the IAAUS, and the NCAA to give us today's game. So, just as soccer and Rugby Union recognize the start of their sports as being when they defined governing bodies and rules in 1863 and 1871, we should date football's start as coming in 1876.
I used to have a vinyl album with about 80 college fight songs and there are many excellent ones. I know you don't want to hear it, but I like Victory for MSU as well.
Two arguments here, one below the surface: that regarding the fashioning of the game itself, and then the inter-scholastic meetings, which is where 1869 bears some (inconclusive) command ..
The ritual involving undergrad mobs should be tempered with the icon of the kindly professor who saw 'the boys' need to get exercise, hence the inventive talents of students in country schools to fashion games of their own. Rutgers and Princeton come to mind, particularly the latter in the 1820's ..
Nice wry dig at Franklin Pierce in NY Daily News article.
Thanks. That flew right past me. I had to read up on Pierce to understand the reference.
I remember college football celebrating its centennial in 1969, with many schools sporting football shaped “100” helmet decals. Can you elaborate on your distinction between 1869 and 1876? I presume it has something to do with the rules. Thanks.
Admittedly, I thought 1869 was the start of football until "I did my own research." The 1869 Princeton-Rutgers games were not rugby or football. The games involved 25 players who could not carry the ball and were more like Association football or soccer. The IFA formed in 1876 and adopted Rugby Union rules with a few modifications. From that point, there has been a consistent modification of those rules under the IFA, the University Club, the IAAUS, and the NCAA to give us today's game. So, just as soccer and Rugby Union recognize the start of their sports as being when they defined governing bodies and rules in 1863 and 1871, we should date football's start as coming in 1876.
Proposed dates for start of football
1869 - sounds like tackle soccer but to be fair rugby was kinda like tackle soccer back then
1876- when football wrote rules down that were rugby rules
1880 - blocking was allowed
1882 - down and distance
1898 - the best college fight song is written
1905 - the forward pass
WW2 - unlimited substitution
1996 - my first pop warner game
Not to nitpick, but William T. Purdy wrote "On, Wisconsin" in 1909.
That is a jam, altho I dont know the words. Ill also give honorable mentions to the usc first down song, the annoying notre dame song, and rocky top.
I used to have a vinyl album with about 80 college fight songs and there are many excellent ones. I know you don't want to hear it, but I like Victory for MSU as well.
Haha sorry not going to give that comment a "like"
You forgot the March '88 adjustment to Rule 26, which now allowed tackling to the knees ..
Man good one. Did football look like Greco roman wrestling before then? Pretty wild
Two arguments here, one below the surface: that regarding the fashioning of the game itself, and then the inter-scholastic meetings, which is where 1869 bears some (inconclusive) command ..
The ritual involving undergrad mobs should be tempered with the icon of the kindly professor who saw 'the boys' need to get exercise, hence the inventive talents of students in country schools to fashion games of their own. Rutgers and Princeton come to mind, particularly the latter in the 1820's ..