Football is a force to be reckoned within American society. It is a popular sporting event that people rally around. On the weekends, individuals show support for their favorite teams. This past weekend we showed school spirit by attending the OSU vs. OU game.
How did football get started?
American football has roots in English rugby and soccer. In the 11th and 12th century, a game of tackle was played with a blown up cow bladder. The violent game caused injuries and several English kings banned the sport. The game was later resurrected in the 1800s. At this time, football closely resembled our American soccer. The United States Department of State's: American English website explains that the game was further changed in 1823 when a student from Rugby decided to pick up the ball and run to make a goal. This created the game of rugby.
The first intercollegiate game was between Princeton and Rutgers University in 1869. In 1876 the Intercollegiate Football Association was established to provide standardized rules for the game. The game was very violent, however, and resulted in many injuries and occasional deaths. There was not any protective gear or equipment for the players. As a result, some colleges banned the sport. Theodore Roosevelt wanted the game to remain so he made colleges regulate football starting in 1910. From this regulation, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was formed. The NCAA still regulates football today.
Overall, football has evolved over time and endured many changes. The Institute of Educational Sciences provides an in depth history of the evolution of football.
Concussions and consequences?
Football has violent roots that led to deaths in the past. In the early forms of the game, no helmet was provided, only a decorative cap. This lead to many head related injuries. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that leather helmets were transformed into plastics helmets in 1939. Helmets provide protection from concussions but it does not eradicate the injury. Many concussion issues still occur today.
In addition to sports safety information at the National Institutes of Health, you can find useful articles related to football and sports using the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus, the world’s largest medical library. MedlinePlus has information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues. The OSU Library has a link to MEDLINE in its database listing. Use MEDLINE to find scholarly articles related to medicine and health.
Football Fun Facts and Tips
Football has no bounds; it dominates every aspect of life. Check out NASA to see Five Things Football and Space Have in Common and Space and Football Facts.
For game day food safety tips for at home or on the go, check out Foodsafety.gov.
Who do you think will win the Heismann Trophy this year?
- Emily Hancz
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