Professional Football

   "TOUCHDOWN," one of the most famous words now in the 21st century. But during the 20th century, that word was just beginning to be used. The NFL is what changed football as we know it today. The NFL was formed in 1922, out of the American Professional Football Association (APFA) which was founded in 1920.

Baller 

   Since the NFL was not formed until 1922, college football was more prominent even after the NFL was founded. The main attendee's of the NFL games were college students. Before the NFL was created, the better players were getting paid $250/game. If you ask me, that's great back then, doing what you love and still making bank. If there was an important game the colleges would pay players even more. Michigan paid Heston $600 for one game, and they ended  up winning 14-4. Also, coaches were being paid very little, and coach Pop Warner was being paid $34/week.

Willie Heston

Jim Thorpe

   Some of the greatest players that would ever play football derived from this time period like Charles Follis, Willie Heston, and Jim Thorpe. Charles Follis was the first African-American pro football player. His common nickname was the "Black Cyclone," he went to sign for the Shelby Athletic Club. Willie Heston was a three time All American halfback. He scored between 90-100 touchdowns for the University of Michigan. The last and the best football player of the time was Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe played for Carlisle Indian School, he was known as one of the "star players," during the twentieth century. Thorpe was very cocky in the manner where he thought he couldn't be tackled. Thorpe became a running back, as well as kicker. He was said to have been able to play ever position better than anyone on the field. (Most from the same website.)

Typical Flyer for a Game

   The first teams of the APFA were the: Akron Professionals, Buffalo All-Americans, Canton Bulldogs, Chicago Cardinals, Cleveland Tigers, Columbus Panhandles, Dayton Triangles, Decatur Staleys, Detroit Heralds, Hammond Pros, Muncie Flyers, Rochester Jeffersons, and Rock Island Independents. These teams were created in the year 1920. Most teams dropped out on the year 1921, and one of the most famous teams today became affiliated; Green Bay Packers. Also, the Decatur Staleys changed their name to a more recognizable name; Chicago Bears. These are the origins of the more modern day teams, except most to all changed their names. (website)

   Football has changed spectator sports as we know it today. Wages have increased a dramatic amount, as well as the types of people who go to the games. Now the middle class to the wealthy upper class attend professional football games. There are even box seats people can own now. Football will keep changing more and more as the years progress, and we all hope they will change for the good, or at least I hope they do. (website)

The old and the new