However, it wasn’t until the 1880s that a great rugby player from Yale, Walter Camp, pioneered rules changes that slowly transformed rugby into the new game of American Football.

  • The Seattle Seahawks team was named by fans. A contest was held and 20,365 entries were received. 151 people suggested the name Seahawks, and the name was chosen as the winner by the team owners.
  • The NFL, first known as the American Professional Football Association, was formed in Canton on Sept. 17, 1920.
  • The cheerleaders in the NFL typically make $50-$75 per game.
  • A football is not made out of pig skin. A cow has only a 1 in 17,420,000 chance of becoming an NFL football that is used in the Super Bowl.
  • Jersey number 12 was retired for the fans of Seattle, or the 12th man. However, while Sam Adkins played for Seattle, number 12 was his jersey number.
  • It wasn’t a requirement for football players to wear a helmet in the NFL until 1943
  • The winning team in the Super Bowl receives permanent possession of the sterling silver, Vince Lombardi trophy. It stands 20.75 inches tall, weighs 107.3 ounces, and is valued in excess of $25,000.
  • Coach Pete Carroll’s gum of choice: Bubble Yum.
  • The most pizza is sold on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year.  Psychologists note that some events are socially tied to food categories—Superbowl + pizza, Easter + eggs, etc.
  • The NFL requires that all stadiums be built facing North and South so that the sun never interferes with a play.
  • Former Minnesota Vikings kicker Fred Cox invented the Nerf football back in 1972.  He still receives royalties for every unit sold.
  • There are 67,000 seats, 11 elevators and 48 concession areas throughout CenturyLink field.