The Pioneering Bases of American Football: College Precedence Over the NFL

Did college football kick off before or after the NFL? This question has long intrigued sports historians and enthusiasts alike. The truth is, college football has a heritage that predates the professional league, establishing itself as a beloved spectator sport for decades before the organization that was to become the NFL even existed on the horizon.

Origins of American Football

Before the inception of the National Football League (NFL), American football had already taken root as a sport in the colleges. The American football we know today evolved from a soccer game played between Rutgers and Princeton in 1869. This game, far from being an organized sport, was the early days of the sport's development, setting the stage for the structured games we see today.

The Role of College Football

It is often noted that while college football laid the groundwork for the professional game, the sport was inherently organized and popularized by students at academic institutions. The Ivy League in particular, including schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, played a significant role in shaping American football into the sport we know today. These universities not only provided a platform for the growth of the game but also created the initial structures and rules that would eventually be adopted by professional leagues.

The NFL's Beginnings: Professionalism and Early Challenges

The National Football League (NFL), however, was a product of more modern industrial and economic conditions. The NFL, originally known as the American Professional Football Association, was formed in 1920. Despite being the first organized professional league, it did not immediately capitalize on the mass popularity of the game.

Broadly, the early years of the NFL saw the sport struggling to gain a foothold in the public consciousness. It is important to note that while the league's formation marked a significant milestone in the transition of football from a collegiate pastime to a professional sport, the popularity and financial success of NFL teams lagged behind that of their college counterparts for quite some time.

The Curious Case of Early Professional Players

It is interesting to note that players were paid to play football well before the NFL's official formation. One of the earliest known instances of a player being paid for his services was in 1892, when Pudge Heffelfinger, a member of the Yale football team, received 500 dollars to play a game for the Allegheny Athletic Association. This was a bold move for that time, even if it was just a single game.

However, it is not surprising to note the resistance from both colleges and fans. For many years, college football was seen as a strictly amateur, non-commercial enterprise. The idea of paying players was both viewed as inappropriate and illegal by many institutions and was fervently opposed by fans, who saw the game as a challenge and a test of character rather than a monetary venture.

Conclusion: The Evolution of American Football

In summary, the origins of American football lie in the early games played by enthusiastic college students and not the organized leagues of professional teams. The transition from the academic amateurism to the professional arena was a gradual process that took several decades, during which variegated forms of the sport were played and the rules were continuously refined. While the NFL is now the dominant professional football league, its origins are deeply intertwined with the rich history and tradition of college football.

The enduring question of whether college football started before or after the NFL ultimately speaks to the complex history of American sports. Both college and professional football have their unique heritage, which has shaped the game we love and continue to play and watch today.

For those looking to dive deeper into the history of college football and the NFL, both archives and modern works offer a wealth of information. From the idiosyncratic games of early college football to the more formal and commercially successful NFL, there is much to explore in this fascinating story of American sports development.