American Football

When football was first played in the late 1860s, it was a sport far different from that of today. In fact, a spectator of today’s game would have a hard time recognizing football in its original form. In the beginning of the 1880s, Walter Camp, a college player from Yale, created a new set of rules for the game. He had 11 players on each side, created the center snap to initiate play and instituted the “down” system for advancing and scoring. He devoted the rest of his life to the development and promotion of football and was highly influential as a player, coach and writer. Today, he is often considered to be the “Father of American Football.” This work is his history and guide to the sport as it was played prior to the 20th century. Camp discusses the early days of the sport, the role of each position, the developing rules and how to watch as a spectator. His insider account into football’s formative years is an invaluable piece of the sport’s history and is perfect for all interested fans and enthusiasts.