Along with crisp autumn air, turning leaf colors, and kids heading back to school, the season reminds us of that great American sport, football.  The game, started in the United States in the mid 1800s as a variation of rugby and soccer, has grown to become a popular sport worldwide.  While we in the States call it “football” our friends around the world may refer to it as “Gridiron” to keep the sport separate from soccer.

Do you want in on the game? Dash outside this fall with the ol’ pigskin and enjoy some of the following trivia:

The name “pigskin” comes from the inflatable inside of the football.  At one time this inside was truly a gift from pigs, but not their actual skins.  The innards used to inflate footballs were made from pig bladders, which were durable and flexible in a time before rubber became widely used.

In 1887 a man named Walter Camp of Yale University is said to have led the way to football, as we know it today.  Mr. Camp first played then coached the evolving sport, and was a key innovator who elevated the sport from a game of brute force to one more focused on technique and strategy.

Then, in 1905 President Theodore Roosevelt held two meetings with football leaders from several colleges to address the issues of violence in the new sport.  Several teams had players who were not students, and the mass tackling of the day led to injuries and death. Many colleges were considering a ban on the game unless a coherent set of rules could be developed.  From those meetings and subsequent work in 1906 by a group of 13 colleges and universities, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States was formed.  For years later, the group changed its name to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA.

Did you know that the forward pass only came into regulation use in 1906?  This was because university football players were experiencing tremendous and life-threatening injuries.  The forward pass was to give smaller players an opportunity to contribute to team play without risking life and limb.  This was another innovative idea from Walter Camp.

There are many ways to improve your own techniques for playing football, most of which you can do in your own back yard:

• One Person Toss – Throw a football underarm straight up in the air and catch it.  Can you make the ball spiral as you throw?  How many times in a row can you toss and catch the ball?  How high can you make it go? To the top of your deck cover? To the top of your roof?  Good for you!
• Football Coach Says – Have a few friends, but not enough for a game of football? No problem!  Play Football Coach Says by one person calling out football stances and motions and the others follow suit.  But be careful; only move when Coach says.  Some football stances and motions are: 3-point stance, forward pass, holding a caught or handed off ball.
• Fumble Recovery – Each person has a number and the “coach” for the turn tosses a ball out a short distance in front of the line of players. As he or she tosses the ball, they call out a number and that person runs to scoop it up.  Remember to hold tight with two hands when done.  The fumble recover player then gets to be “coach” for the next toss.

And when you’re done with playing football, what better way to finish the day than with a tailgate party on your deck? Fire up the grill while the weather is good and enjoy another All-American favorite, hotdogs.  Enjoy the season.

(Photo by rachaelvoorhees)