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Football: National Football League

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The National Football League (NFL) is the top professional league in the United States for American Football. Based on attendance and television ratings, the NFL has become the most popular pro sports league in the United States. Its championship, the Super Bowl, is often the most watched television event of the year.

History of the NFL

The NFL has its beginnings in a league formed in 1920 called the American Professional Football Association. There were 10 teams in the original league, none of which are still part of the NFL. The Green Bay Packers joined in 1921 and would be the oldest and longest running franchise in NFL history. In 1922 the league changed its name to the National Football League. Over the next several years or so many teams would come and go as the sport tried to catch on. The last team to fold was in 1952.

In 1959 a rival league was formed, the American Football League (AFL). The AFL was very successful and soon was competing with the NFL for players. In 1970 the two leagues merged together. The new league was called the NFL, but they incoporated a lot of innovations from the AFL.


NFL commissioner Roger Goodell standing
with Marines at the NFL Draft
Source: US Marines
NFL Teams

There are currently 32 teams in the NFL. They are split into two conferences, the NFC and the AFC. Within each conference are 4 divisions of 4 teams each. To see more on the teams go to NFL teams.

NFL Season and Playoffs

In the current NFL season (2021), each team plays seventeen games and has one week off called a bye week. The top 7 teams from each conference get into the playoffs with the top team in each conference getting a bye the first week. The playoffs are single-elimination. The final two teams meet up in the Super Bowl.

What is Fantasy Football?

Fantasy Football has become very popular with fans of the NFL. It's a game where fans create their own leagues, usually with friends and family, and then draft players onto their teams. Each member drafts players in different positions, like quarterback and running back. Players get points each week depending on different stats like yards gained and touchdowns. Whoever has the most total points for that week wins.

Fun Facts about the NFL

More Football Links:

Rules
Football Rules
Football Scoring
Timing and the Clock
The Football Down
The Field
Equipment
Referee Signals
Football Officials
Violations that Occur Pre-Snap
Violations During Play
Rules for Player Safety
Positions
Player Positions
Quarterback
Running Back
Receivers
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Linebackers
The Secondary
Kickers
Strategy
Football Strategy
Offense Basics
Offensive Formations
Passing Routes
Defense Basics
Defensive Formations
Special Teams

How to...
Catching a Football
Throwing a Football
Blocking
Tackling
How to Punt a Football
How to Kick a Field Goal

Biographies
Peyton Manning
Tom Brady
Jerry Rice
Adrian Peterson
Drew Brees
Brian Urlacher

Other
Football Glossary
National Football League NFL
List of NFL Teams
College Football

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