NFL Football
By: Gia Lopez (8)
The National Football League, also known as “NFL” is one of the most iconic and loved pro sports. It has high action gameplay and a huge fanbase. The NFL has become part of American culture. Every year millions of people watch their favorite NFL teams go against other teams and hope their team wins. The Super Bowl marks one of the biggest sports events in America. We will take a closer look into the NFL’s history, the game’s structure, and why it has significance.
The NFL was founded in 1920 but it was named the American Professional Football Association ( APFA) before gaining its current name in 1922. In the beginning of the NFL the league struggled to gain popularity due to college football being the more popular form of football. The NFL grew at a steady pace and by 1950 it gained a bunch of popularity. One key turning point was the 1958 NFL championship game between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants. It is known as “The greatest game ever played.” The match decided, in teeth gritting overtime, caught a national audience and it significantly boosted the NFL’s popularity. Over the decades the NFL has expanded from 14 teams to 32 which is how many teams we have now. Each season the NFC and AFC compete to win the superbowl title.
An NFL season is very well practiced starting from early September to February. Here’s how it breaks down, for preseason teams play four practice games in august to prepare for the regular season. The preseason is also an opportunity for teams to look over younger players and finalize their rosters. The regular season starting in September, each team plays 17 games over 18 weeks, with one bye week. Teams are divided into four divisions which are (North, South, East, and West). The games are scheduled to show full competition across these divisions. Playoffs are after the regular season 14 teams qualify for the playoffs. The playoffs consist of single elimination games which lead to the superbowl. The Super Bowl is the grand finale of the NFL season which takes place in February. Every year people tune in for the Super Bowl and it gets millions of views for the commercials and of course the game itself.
NFL football is a game of strategy, physical strength, and teamwork. Each team is made up of three units which are offense, defense, and special teams. The Offense’s job is to move the ball down the field and score the points. Key positions are quarterback , running backs, wide receivers, and offensive lineman. Defense job is to stop the offense from scoring. Defensive lineman, linebackers, and defensive backs work as a team to tackle the person with the ball and intercept passes and force turnovers. The special teams unit comes into play when they do kicking plays like field goals, punts, and kickoffs. Sometimes they even make the game winning point.
The NFL is part of American culture. NFL Sundays have become a day where people get with their family and spend time with them. The NFL goes through generations with grandparents, their kids and the parents all cheering for the same team. The Super Bowl, the NFL’s championship, is more than just a sports event; it’s a day where the world goes crazy with football with parties in almost every house. It’s often referred to as an “unofficial American holiday.” It combines sports, advertising, and entertainment into a single event watched by millions. Every year people look forward to what halftime commercials there will be. They often feature fan favorites celebrities. The social atmosphere has made it part of American culture.
From when it was founded to talking about seasons and gameplay and culture. The NFL has grown so much in culture and popularity. The league’s success has been built by determination and consistency. As the NFL continues to grow facing new challenges everyday, its place in the hearts of millions of fans remains sustained. The NFL’s history is still being written and will continue to grow for centuries.
“Everyday is an opportunity disguised as a challenge.”
Tiki Barber