Mac and I have always shared a love of sports.  The first thing he watched on television was golf – yes, really.  He was 3 and would sit quietly as if studying the game – then cheer when the ball went in the hole.  Now he can probably give you ten minutes on every team in the NFL, most NBA teams, and look out when it comes to his March Madness bracket.  He’ll show you the step-back jumper he taught himself watching James Harden and do his best Mookie Betts impression if you ask.

Mac loves it all but together we share an extra special bond for football.

He is “seasonal” which, may explain why football is king.  There is no offseason.  He is as amped up to watch the combine — during non-pandemic years — as he is the Super Bowl.  You can throw college games into the mix.  Don’t discount the NFL Draft; Mac is wide-eyed and ready for a night of names called and celebrations on our TV screen.

The lateness of sporting events has made for some complicated bedtime scenarios.  Mac is 9 and those primetime games come more frequently than they did when I watched them with my parents. When the Patriots played the Falcons in Super Bowl LI, Mac was in preschool.  We agreed that bedtime would be at halftime. Even though he didn’t understand the game like he does now, trying to scoop him off to bed proved challenging.  He was like a puppy wriggling around, yawning, but still hopeful for more playtime. Atlanta was up 21-3 at that point. Mac was adamant that New England would find a way to come back and win.

I hedged.  Lifelong Patriots fan that I am, I did.  The mommy part of me kicked in, knowing he would still be tired the next morning and a loss would only amplify it.  (Come on, as an adult, you know the loss hangover can hit you too.)

Mac went to bed wearing his Brady jersey.  If anyone can do it, Mommy, (big yawn), Brady can. Chalk one up for the preschooler.  

Funny thing happened the next year.  My husband’s childhood team had a resurgence.  The Eagles lost their currently embroiled quarterback to injury and found Nick Foles ready and waiting.  The all-knowing and fun-loving dad in my house found another fan in Mac.  I call it the power of Dad.  Then, our two teams met in Super Bowl LII.

Our house was electric.  We ran with it and the grandparents came to visit.  Why not add more fans from opposing teams?  The cheering, sighing, yelling that you are imagining, it all happened.  The tears happened, too … happy ones. 

Mac glowed through all of it.  He would cheer with me and groan when I did.  Then he would do the same with his Dad.  He was elated, surrounded by people he loves, watching two teams he loves, play for a championship.  Looking back, it feels like a defining moment.

We embraced the phrase: we win either way.  We lived it, too.  That’s how we raise our children, happiness goes beyond self.  It is found in each other.

Another season later, I was grateful to be covering football again.  Mac and I would chat as he watched me prep for my shows.  He’d inquire as I jotted notes on my index cards.  He loved the on-field photos I’d bring home to show him.  We talked about JJ Watt running around pre-game when the Texans came to Foxborough, playing catch from the field with people in the stands.  Mac loved it.  I loved the lesson of proactively trying to brighten someone’s day.

Embedded in all the seasons are lessons.  

When the Patriots came back and beat the Falcons, there was a lesson.  When Carson Wentz went down with torn ligaments in his knee, there was a lesson.  When Watt took interest in the fans, there was a lesson.

Never give up.  Support people around you.  Embrace even those you don’t know.  

The lessons from football are limitless.  There are the x’s and o’s that Mac and I talk about during games.  Demonstrate may be a better word for how he watches.  The word “repeatedly” applies too.  He’ll watch the same game dozens of times.  And at just nine, I’m thankful he sees so much more than a final score.  

When Will Fuller was suspended for testing positive for PEDs: your actions affect other people.  When the Eagles struggled and the quarterback situation became a question mark: football — and life — is not easy.  When Andy Reid became the only coach to take two franchises to three straight conference championships: leadership matters.  When the Patriots struggled: reinvention is not easy.  When Bruce Arians praised Tom Brady for changing the culture of the Tampa Bay Bucs organization: one person can make a difference.  

The lessons are endless.  As is my gratitude for the game behind them.  Football goes far beyond the white lines on the field.  Just like in my house watching it goes well beyond the NFL RedZone countdown music — which I hear in my sleep.

The post Football is Family: A Mother and Son Bond Over NFL’s Deeper Lessons appeared first on The Football Girl.

Formation of the American Professional Football Conference

At the turn of the 20th century, football was becoming increasingly popular, with teams like the Canton Bulldogs and Akron Pros playing semi-pro and amateur games. That eventually led to a meeting held on August 20, 1920. Representatives of the Canton Bulldogs, Akron Pros, Dayton Triangles, and Cleveland Indians met at the Jordan and Hupmobile car showroom in Canton, Ohio, to discuss ways of raising the standard of professional football and eliminating bidding for players between rival clubs. Thus, the American Professional Football Conference was born.

At the time, no one could have guessed just how popular the forthcoming football league would become. Football fans from a century ago were not able to watch games on television or play games like Madden NFL 20 and NFL 2K. But today, it is simple for fans to immerse themselves in the action by playing football games online, as well as playing a variety of sports-based slot games on excellent platforms like Casumo.com.

Formation of the American Professional Football Association

On September 17, 1920, club representatives from various states held another meeting at the Hupmobile showroom, which was owned by Ralph Hay, the owner of the Canton Bulldogs. The result of the meeting was the formation of the American Professional Football Association, which was renamed two years later in 1922 as the National Football League. The first league consisted of 14 teams. And only two of those clubs remain to this day: the Decatur Staleys, which later became the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Cardinals, which later became the Arizona Cardinals. The league’s first president was Jim Thorpe, who is arguably the greatest athlete from that period. Thorpe helped to make the sport credible. It was the beginning of a journey that would eventually make NFL football the nation’s favorite sport.

The First Season of the NFL

In the first season in 1920, the league did not keep official standings, and clubs played games that included non-league opponents. The very first game featuring a team from the then-called American Professional Football Association was held on September 26, 1920, at Douglas Park in Rock Island, Illinois. The Rock Island Independents crushed the non-league club St. Paul Ideals 48-9. The first game to take place between two league teams occurred one week later when the Dayton Triangles thrashed the Columbus Panhandles 14-0 at Triangle Park. And the first full week of league play began on October 3, 1920. The first season’s champions were the Akron Pros, who had an 8-0-3 regular-season record.

The Rise of the NFL

Although the NFL was the foremost professional football league in the US, and it rapidly grew in popularity over its first decade, the 1930s and 1940s saw the NFL facing a large number of rival pro leagues. There were at least three distinct American Football Leagues, as well as the All-America Football Conference and various regional football leagues. But by the 1950s, the NFL had seen off all of those rival leagues, and it soon had a monopoly on US professional football. The only major competition to remain in North America was in Canada, which formerly became the Canadian Football League in 1958. However, Canadian football differed to the US game, so the CFL managed to survive as an independent league.

In the 1960s, the NFL faced another rival professional league. The fourth American Football League began in 1960, and it quickly challenged the established NFL. The AFL became massively popular and gained lucrative TV contracts. But on June 8, 1960, the two leagues announced they were merging. The merger took full effect in 1970. The rest is history.

The post NFL Origins: How Did the League Begin? appeared first on The Football Girl.

This week in Miami, McGlinchey beamed when asked about Staley.  “I could talk about Joe Staley all day. Joe’s grown into my best friend.” This strong of a kinship between two football players a decade apart in age may not be commonplace, but little about Staley’s career is typical.

Staley is about to complete his 13^th season, all with the same franchise, a feat few players have every emulated. The six-time Pro Bowler has survived every type of NFL season from Super Bowl berths to the being the NFL’s laughingstock. Through it all he’s been a masterclass in professionalism. As the only member of the 49ers who played in the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans, or even at Candlestick Park for that matter, finally hoisting Lombardi would culminate a fascinating, layered career. The idea of Staley finally winning a ring is not lost on his teammates.

“It does make it more special, “ said McGlinchey this week from the 49ers’ media availability.” This guy has gone through so much in this organization from the early parts of his career when they were really bad, the Harbaugh years when they got good, then they crashed and burned. Even in the past four seasons, the team didn’t win more than six games in any season. That can be really hard for players to be motivated but Joe modeled the importance of a consistent and strong work ethic in the good and the bad.”

We caught up with Staley to discuss his leadership, his future and deflecting those pesky “friends” seeking Super Bowl tickets. 

Melissa Jacobs: A couple of years ago you told me you were on the brink of retirement before Kyle Shanahan was hired. How close were you?

Joe Staley: I think I was tossing the idea around in my mind and actually starting to think about it. It wasn’t a situation where if Kyle doesn’t tell me what I want to hear in this meeting, I’m going to tell him I’m done. It wasn’t like that. But I was thinking about as I was getting older in age and the game of football becomes harder on your body as you age. I was feeling that and the strain of it taking away time with my kids and my family. And weighing those options and what do I want to do after football and what does my life look like if I continue to play until I’m 40 years old. 

But once I met with Kyle, I got really excited about what he’s about and the opportunity to play for him was something exciting for me and I wanted to be a part of it.

MJ: Since you were quasi-thinking about retirement, what do you want to do post-NFL?

JS: I would love to coach, but NFL level coaching, I think it would be really fun. Then again, it’s the time commitment again. I’m sitting here talking about being away from my family as a player and being an NFL coach is a little bit more than that. I don’t really know, I haven’t put a whole lot of thought into it.

What I do know when I’m done with football I’m going to enjoy a good year of doing nothing and being with my family and losing weight and taking the stress of football off my body. 

MJ: Are you aspiring to be the next Joe Thomas and lose like 100 pounds?

JS: I hope to be. He’s a great inspiration for offensive lineman. Nothing but positive for guys who are 300 pounds for the last 16 years.

MJ: Is it hard to keep weight on?

JS: For me, a little bit. I was naturally skinny and had to gain weight to play offensive line in college, I have to eat a lot. I actually went one year, it was actually my third year and I was like 325 pounds and I told myself, ‘If I’m going to be this big, I’m not going to play very long in the NFL.’ I could barely move, I felt awful, but my coach at the time kept telling me I needed to gain weight and keep getting bigger. Then one year I was determined to lose weight and all I did was eat right. I ate healthy and clean for an entire offseason and I lost 30 pounds. I came back at 295-pounds and realized I could play in the NFL. I felt good, I could move. 

MJ: Well, 13 years in the NFL and you’ve really grown into a mentor role. How much pride do you take in helping young guys like Mike McGlinchey?

JS: I think it comes naturally. It’s not really a forced thing, like this is my role or that guys have to listen to me. I’ve always had pride in what I do in terms of preparation and work ethic throughout my career and the way I go about my business and I think that just naturally has guys watching what you do, especially when you play in the league for so long. Guys want to see what it takes to last in the league for 13 years. So yeah, I take a lot of pride in what I do.

MJ: What’s your makeup of people here this week? Who’s coming to the game?

JS: Immediate family only, actually. I kind of closed the doors. I said we would do my mom, my dad, my sisters, my sister’s husband, my wife, my two kids, my wife’s mom and dad and my wife’s sister. 

MJ: Did you get a lot of random people you haven’t spoken to since high school asking you for tickets?

JS: Oh yeah, but everybody does. I just didn’t want to deal with saying yes to one friend and no to another. Picking favorites. I’m saying no to everybody so don’t be offended. I do say they’re free to come down but I won’t have tickets to the game. Once they hear that, it’s like, ‘oh, I’ll just watch it on tv.’

MJ: This week, there’s been a bit of a mantra around the 49ers after trying to win the Super Bowl as a team. Win it for Joe. How does that make you feel?

JS: I think just being around here and spending my time with one franchise and being here 13 years, I think guys wanted to see guys rewarded who have been with one franchise. 

The post Super Bowl LIV: Joe Staley Talks His Future, Work Ethic, Pesky Ticket Seekers appeared first on The Football Girl.

Of course the bracket is likely to have some movement before the postseason begins. In the NFC, the top seed Seattle could easily end up with the 5 seed, while the 2 seed Packers could slide to the 6 seed. 

The NFL’s tiebreaking procedures can be confusing on the surface but here’s a quick primer: 1) Head-to-head record), 2) Division record, 3) Conference record 4) Record against common opponents. 5) Strength of schedule. Luckily we don’t often have to dig digger than that. 

Let’s take a ride through the playoff scenarios for each team that has not been yet eliminated.

AFC

1. Baltimore (12-2)

Baltimore needs just one more win to secure the top seed and home-field throughout the playoffs. Remaining games: Week 16 at Cleveland and Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh.

2. New England (11-3)

The Patriots need just one more win to secure the second seed. Even if Buffalo wins Sunday and/or the two teams wind up with the same record and same divisional and conference record, the Pats holds the  common opponent breaker. They beat the Eagles, the Bills lost to Philly. However, if New England loses their last two and Buffalo wins out, the Bills would win the AFC East. If New England and Kansas City finish with the same record, the Chiefs would claim the higher seed since they beat the Pats earlier this season. Remaining games: Week 16 vs. Bills. Week 17 vs. Dolphins.

3. Kansas City (10-4)

The Chiefs have clinched the AFC West and will likely stay in the 3 seed. They hold the tiebreakers over the Patriots and Ravens, having beat both opponents. But as mentioned above, the Chiefs hold the tiebreaker over the Pats. Remaining games: Week 16 at Bears. Week 17 vs. Chargers.

4. Houston (9-5)

The Texans are one win away from the AFC South title. They could move up to the 3 seed if they end up with the same record as the Chiefs since they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. Remaining games: Week 16 at Bucs. Week 17 vs. Titans. 

5. Bills (10-4)

The Bills have clinched a playoff spot and it’s highly likely they’ll enter the postseason as the 5 seed. They can still win the AFC East if they win out and the Pats lose their final two. Remaining games: Week 16 at Pats. Week 17 vs. Jets.

6. Steelers (8-6)

The Steelers remained in the final slot as their Sunday Night Football loss because the Titans also lost. Remining games: Week 16 at Jets. Week 17 at Ravens

Still hopeful

Titans (8-6)

The Titans simply need to win one more game than the Steelers to sneak into the playoffs. They can still win the AFC South if they win out and the Texans lose their final two. Week 16 vs. Saints Week 17 at Texans

Longshots: Browns (6-8), Raiders (6-8) 

NFC

1. Seattle (11-3)

The Seahawks control their own destiny. Win the next two and they have homefield throughout the playoffs. But even if they win next week and San Francisco loses in Week 16 but beats Seattle in Week 17, the Seahawks would be relegated to the wildcard round as San Francisco holds the strength of schedule tiebreaker. Week 17 should be a beauty. Remaining games: Week 16 vs. Cards. Week 17 vs. 49ers.

2. Packers (11-3)

The Packers have a strong path to the division title given that they hold a two-game lead over the Vikings in the divisional record tiebreaker. But crazier things have happened. Remaining games: Week 16 at Vikings. Week 17 at Lions. 

3. Saints (11-3)

With the NFC South already clinched, the red-hot Saints are looking to move up and gain a bye week. Remaining games: Week 16: at Titans. Week 17 at Panthers. 

4. Cowboys (7-7)

This week against the Eagles will likely decide the NFC East. If the Cowboys win, they win the division.  If the Eagles win, then also win Week 17 they will be division champions and hosting a playoff game. Remaining games:  Week 16 at Eagles. Week 17 vs. Redskins.

5. 49ers (11-3)

Sunday’s loss to the Falcons was not great but there’s still a path to the division crown and possible home field advantage throughout the playoffs for the 49ers. Win the last two games. Even if they lose and beat Seattle, they hold the strength of schedule tiebreaker, but would likely be supplanted by New Orleans or green Bay for the top spot. Remining games: Week 16 vs. Rams. Week 17 at Seahawks. 

6. Vikings (10-4) 

The Vikings are not officially in the postseason yet but it’s very likely. They get in with a win Sunday or a Rams loss. If neither happens, the same drill repeats in Wek 17. Remaining games: Week 16 vs. Packers. Week 7 vs. Bears

Still hopeful

Eagles (7-7)

As mentioned above, they win out and they are NFC East champions.

Not quite as hopeful but still technically alive

Rams (8-6)

The post 2019 NFL Playoff Picture: Scenarios Headed to Week 16 appeared first on The Football Girl.

(Note: Not all celebrations have been made public. We will update this post with any clips made available.)

Cincy notches first win against the Jets

Sweet Victory!

Game for @andydalton14 & Coach Taylor. pic.twitter.com/zCzwKcYLp6

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 1, 2019

Texans celebrate MASSIVE win over Patriots

Game ball goes to OB.#WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/fTnS13wzhb

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 2, 2019

Brian Flores keeps the Thanksgiving vibes going after the Fins toppled the Eagles

Go inside the locker room after the W! #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/NEXMBntHND

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 1, 2019

Rams revel in dominant performance over Arizona

Responded the right way. pic.twitter.com/k9YqPZcU5L

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 2, 2019

Titans enjoy crucial AFC South win over the Colts

Watch Out! @Bose Victory Speech #TENvsIND pic.twitter.com/wjP6jCDBYt

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 2, 2019

Bucs take care of business in Jacksonville

"Let's get better next week and get another win." pic.twitter.com/BDw54ebTc6

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 1, 2019

Washington topples Carolina on the road

It’s about to be #VICTORYMONDAY pic.twitter.com/NsBtcVh40T

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) December 2, 2019

Broncos notch win over AFC West rival Chargers

“Great team win, baby! Let’s build on it and finish the season strong.” – @SuttonCourtland

The locker room was ’d up after we #BeatTheChargers! pic.twitter.com/9DBDR1KZF9

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 2, 2019

Bears make a return to Club Dub after topping Lions

*looks for brick wall to run through* pic.twitter.com/zqOgPNEPHo

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 29, 2019

Man we got that swaggg… #ClubDub pic.twitter.com/XkTo2hkECu

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 29, 2019

The post Week 13 Victory Speeches: Bengals Join the Party appeared first on The Football Girl.

Texans LB Whitney Mercilus‘ passion for philanthropy manifest itself in a full scale foundation over three years ago. “I started the WithMerci Foundation because I love working with children, and I’ve developed a passion to help underprivileged kids whose parents can’t afford the cost for medical equipment or pharmaceutical drugs,” Mercilus told reporters last year. WithMerci has raised over $325,000 for Houston area children in need via a number of events Mercilus hosts or participates in throughout each year. 

This year’s focus on Down Syndrome was on full display this week at his signature event, Dine With Merci, was held this week. The full scale event featured Roger Goodell, Mercilus and a number of his teammates, plus other 

local dignitaries.  

…

Jags LB Myles Jack , made a sizeable donation to JEA, a utility company in northeast Florida. His donation was matched by the Jaguars, and collectively it was enough to pay for the utility bills for 31 elderly residents who were struggling to maintain payments on their own. Each resident received this letter from Jack.

…

Broncos CB Chris Harris warmed up a lot of Denver winters this week when he hand delivered coats from his Coats for a Cause events to both the Denver Children’s Home and Salvation Army’s Crossroads. This annual delivery is just a sliver of Harris’s community work that also focuses on promoting literacy and teaching young athletes leadership skills. 

…

Packer LT David Bakhtiari and his mother served dinner this week at the New Community Shelter in Green Bay. Campbell’s Soup pitched in with three pallets, the equivalent of 10,000 bowls of soup. to pass out to families in need.

…

Giants LB Kareem Martin surprised New Jersey based volunteer coach Matt Gray with Super Bowl tickets. NFL.com posted this heartwarming moment.

.@Giants LB Kareem Martin surprised @PRowlsathletics beloved assistant football coach Matt Gray with tickets to #SBLIV! "MattyIce" lives with down syndrome, but has never let it deter his passion and dedication for football and his team. #SuperBowlSurprise | #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/v50OfWAicD

— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2019

The post This Week in NFL Do-Goodery: Chris Harris, Myles Jack appeared first on The Football Girl.

49ers 20 Rams 7

Kyle Shanahan gushes over his defense.

Today was a good day. pic.twitter.com/GmuiVO7HWv

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 14, 2019

Panthers 37 Bucs 26

Ron Rivera hands out game balls for days.

A big win like that calls for 3⃣ game balls:

@Brad_B21
@nino_black_9
@EfeObadaUK pic.twitter.com/nO01SUCmfz

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 13, 2019

Vikings 38 Eagles 20

Mike Zimmer satisfied but staying focused.

“Hell of a win.”#Skol pic.twitter.com/UwihLyb9xO

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 13, 2019

Washington 17 Miami 16

Bill Callahan gives his first speech as Washington’s head coach.

Ready to build on it #HTTR pic.twitter.com/IUnM9wplem

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) October 14, 2019

Seahawks 32 Browns 28

The Seahawks did not post video of Pete Carroll’s locker room speech but here he is looking very enthusiastic.

No quit in our team. #GoHawks pic.twitter.com/KSb50Jyeam

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 13, 2019

Ravens 23 Bengals 17

An emotional John Harbaugh takes a sigh of relief.

“And think, if we just keep getting better.” #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/9ElyMrTyVx

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 13, 2019

Cardinals 34 Falcons 33

Kliff Kingsbury feels something brewing with his squad!

It’s starting to turn for us. pic.twitter.com/4w76JmUQDv

— Arizona Cardinals ⋈ (@AZCardinals) October 14, 2019

Broncos 16 Titans 0

Vic Fangio is fired up!

Keep plugging away.

Inside the #Broncos‘ locker room after we #BeatTheTitans! pic.twitter.com/rLYztLo76W

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 14, 2019

The post Inside Week 6’s Locker Room Victory Speeches appeared first on The Football Girl.

In 1920 in Dayton, Ohio the Dayton Triangles faced off against the Columbus Panhandles in the first ever game of the National Football League. No one then could predict what the NFL would become and the stronghold it would claim on American society.  What the smattering of fans experienced on that historic day in Ohio is vastly different from the league know today. From the NFL’s style of play to its events off the field, here are ten of the most remarkable changes over the last century.

The Forward Pass

Imagine a more stop-start version of rugby, where a player takes the ball and sprints directly into a scrum before the two teams reset and do it again.

You’ve just imagined an NFL game from the 1920s.

In the early years of the league, quarterbacks could only throw the ball forward from within five yards of the line of scrimmage, so pass plays were rare.

A 1933 rule change, which was inspired by the NFL’s desire to separate itself from the college game, allowed forward passes from anywhere behind the line, a decision that transformed the sport into the high-flying spectacle it is now.

In the 1932 season, no quarterback threw for more than 640 yards or nine touchdowns.

In 2015, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, threw for 505 yards and seven touchdowns. In one game.

The Draft

Parity is everything in the NFL, especially when it instituted a salary cap

That a team can go from bottom dwellers to title winners in just a couple of seasons is a major part of why the league is so exciting.

That volatility is largely thanks to the draft.

Prior to 1936, teams would scramble to sign amateur players in chaotic bidding wars, driving up salaries for unproven college graduates who would hold out for the biggest offer.

So, in a bid to restore competitive balance and take leverage away from the players, the NFL became the first major sports league to hold an annual draft, in which franchises take turns selecting amateur players, with the worst team from the previous season picking first.

Rewarding failure in such a way might seem entirely at odds with what America claims to stand for, but the system caught on.

Every other major sports league followed suit and held their own inaugural draft within the following 30 years.

Racial Integration

Segregation wasn’t outlawed in the United States until 1964, so it’s no surprise that the NFL was almost exclusively white for much of its formative years.

While a handful of black players played in the first few NFL seasons, there were none in the league between 1934 and 1946 with owners like Washington’s George Preston Marshall proactively keeping the NFL all-white. 

Then, Kenny Washington – one of the best collegiate players ever – permanently broke the race barrier by signing for the Los Angeles Rams.

The league very slowly integrated black players from there – helped by a boost from merging with the more tolerant AFL in 1970 – and as of the 2014 season the NFL’s player pool is now approximately 68 per cent African American.

The problem is by no means fixed, though.

Despite the NFL introducing the ground-breaking Rooney Rule in 2003, which requires teams to interview at least one candidate with a minority background for every head-coaching vacancy,  just three of the 32 NFL franchises have African-American head coaches as of the start of the 2019 season.

The Schedule

The NFL’s early years were chaotic.

With no set schedule, franchises played against anyone they could manage to arrange a game against, including teams from outside of the league. Remember, this was eons before the days of email and texting. 

They effectively made it up as they went along, and the amount of games they played varied wildly as a result.

While some teams played 10 or more, the Muncie Flyers, who finished last, had just one game (they lost).

There was no championship game back then. The title winners were voted on at a contentious end-of-season meeting of the team owners.

That’s hardly a formula for a successful league, and in 1933 the NFL finally had its inaugural title game, with the Chicago Bears beating the New York Giants.

Three years later, the league reached a point where all nine of its members played 12 games, and since 1978 the regular season has been comprised of 16 fixtures for each team.

The Helmets

Looking at NFL helmets from the 1920s is terrifying, and not just because they made some players look like Hannibal Lecter.

No, what’s frightening is imagining helmet-to-helmet hits being dished out with just a layer of soft leather ‘protecting’ the skull.

The NFL gradually moved from leather skull-caps to plastic helmets with face masks in the 1940s, and by the 1950s all players wore the polymer helmets that are universal today.

The move away from leather was intended to improve player safety, but brain injuries – such as CTE – are a stain that the NFL just can’t cover up.

In 2013, around 4,500 former players sued the league for concussion-related injuries.

As a result, the NFL has pushed hard to outlaw helmet-to-helmet collisions, with penalties and fines becoming increasingly penal over the past few years.

The AFL Merger

It’s not a great look for a league that likes to call its title winners “world champions” to be competing against an emerging rival with deep pockets, talented players and a more exciting style of play.

That was the case in 1959, though, when a group of wealthy owners formed the AFL and quickly threatened the NFL’s dominance by luring away some of the top college recruits with lucrative contracts.

The NFL initially ignored the younger league but eventually recognized that its talent base and profitability were both at risk and opened talks to merge the two organizations.

In 1966, a deal was agreed and a 24-team league was formed with two conferences – the AFC, featuring the former AFL franchises, and the NFC, featuring the remaining NFL franchises.

At the end of each season, the conference champions would play each other, spawning one of the biggest sporting events in the world…

The Super Bowl

You won’t find many non-basketball fans tuning into the NBA Finals, and only baseball devotees make World Series games a holiday.

The Super Bowl, however, regularly attracts over 100 million viewers worldwide, more than any annual sporting event other than the Champions League final.

That’s impressive, considering American football is a complex game that can be tricky for casual fans to pick up and is almost exclusively played in the US.

The NFL has done a fantastic job of turning its marquee game into a dazzling spectacle of entertainment and inventive commercials. Sometimes the actual game plays second-class citizen. 

Super Bowl Sunday is now essentially a national holiday, and traditions like Super Bowl parties and prop bets have spread to countries outside of the US.

The Halftime Show

The Who. Prince. Beyonce.

Some of the biggest musical acts in the world have produced iconic performances at the Super Bowl half-time show.

No other sporting event puts as much focus on its in-game entertainment, and there’s no doubt that part of the Super Bowl’s huge success is down to the popularity of the half-time show.

It wasn’t always the case. Until the early 1990s, the show would typically feature a marching band with a theme like A Salute to the Big Band Era or It’s a Small World.

But Michael Jackson’s iconic 1993 performance changed everything, drawing 91 million viewers and making the half-time show a coveted gig for the world’s biggest artists.

Since then, the half-time show has often been as memorable as the game itself, producing unforgettable moments like Katy Perry’s ‘Left Shark’ dance, Lady Gaga’s leap from the stadium roof and, of course, Nipplegate.

The Salary Cap

Aside from the draft, the salary cap is the NFL’s greatest equalizer.

While sports like baseball and soccer tend to reward the owners with the deepest pockets, the NFL sets a hard limit every year for how much each team can spend.

Following the example set by the NBA a decade earlier, the NFL introduced the cap in 1994, meaning success in the league is now almost entirely dependent on good coaching and talent evaluation.

The NFL doesn’t have a Manchester United or Real Madrid equivalent.

While the New England Patriots have dominated since 2000, their success can largely be attributed to the sustained performance of three-time MVP Tom Brady – the (almost) undisputed quarterback GOAT – and three-time Coach of the Year Bill Belichick, rather than the checkbook of Robert Kraft.

International Expansion

The NBA and MLB have both played regular-season games in London in the past year, but it was the NFL that really pioneered international expansion.

Having staged a handful of exhibitions at Wembley in the 1980s and one regular-season game in Mexico in 2005, the league brought the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants over for its first ever meaningful game in the UK in 2007.

The game was truly awful. The Giants slogged to a 13-10 win in the pouring rain (classic London).

Wembley sold out instantly, though, and the huge fan support convinced the league to stage games in London every year.

The Jacksonville Jaguars – owned by Fulham owner Shahid Khan – signed a deal in 2013 to hold a home game in London every year, while the NFL have also agreed to stage at least two games per season at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the next decade. The stadium includes some NFL compliant accommodations such as locker room size. 

Everything is in place, then, for the league to take its most ambitious step yet – moving a team to the UK permanently.

Should the league convince the players, it could only be a matter of time until we’re watching the London Jaguars take the field.

The post The NFL’s Most Notable Changes Over The Past 100 Years appeared first on The Football Girl.

The Atlanta Falcons have a great rags-to-riches piece on guard Jamon Brown who grew up in poverty in Louisville. Raised by a young, single mother, Brown and his siblings struggled with day-to-day life, let alone the funding required to participate youth sports. Luckily for the Brown family they received some aid and survived. And lucky for the rest of society, Brown is amplifying his fortunate lot in life to help others near and far. His Jamon Brown Foundation focuses on relatable issues like at risk youth and homelessness, largely in the Louisville area. The piece lauds Brown for paying for the funeral of a 1-year-old boy who tragically died after being hit by his father who lost a video game. Brown also wants to help globally and this summer is covering health care costs for children suffering cancerous tumors in a Liberian village.

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The Eagles signed DeSean Jackson this offseason, reuniting the fiery wideout with the organization that drafted him in 2008 and made him a star. When Jackson was first drafted, he was a kid with a propensity to be immature. By the time he left Philadelphia in 2013 he was a respected community stalwart who had started a foundation and became one of the leading anti-bullying voices in the country.

Jackson’s tireless altruism was on public display last weekend. He hosted his free annual F.A.S.T. (footwork, agility, speed, technique) football camp for area youth, an event he also put on during his days with Tampa and Washington. Then hours later,Jackson surprised several homeless people in South Philly with boxes of food just to be kind.

DeSean Jackson last night went around North Philly giving food to the homeless

“We’ve got some free food for y’all”

DeSean says he has matured since he was let go by Eagles 5 years ago. He loves being back in Philly #Eagles
@DeSeanJackson11 pic.twitter.com/SwoaU5w9kM

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 9, 2019

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Eagles CB Malcolm Jenkins may be a no show at minicamp as he awaits a new contract, but he continues with relentless community activism. Last Friday, Jenkins, as part of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. fed 400 underprivileged families in Camden, New Jersey. According to the foundation, 37% of families in Camden are living below the poverty line.

Jenkins’ widespread community work is well known and on Tuesday night he was awarded the 2019 McSilver Award at NYU, which honors individuals who are addressing “needs of individuals, families, and communities living in poverty, locally and globally.”

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When the school year began, Ravens CB Brandon Carr visited Glenmount Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore to promote literacy. Carr gave students free books, empowered them to read, and promised to return with a special surprise if they worked hard all year. The students were paired with mentors and had a to engage in a lot of reading each week.

Carr kept his promise and last week treated 27 lucky students to a day of indoor flying. “This seems to me to be a huge motivator for those kids, Carr told CBS in Baltimore. “They work so hard throughout the year advancing their literacy, eighth graders and second graders working hand-to-hand to have accountability.

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Last week Rams rookies got to meet some of plumbers, electricians and other workers who are helping build the Rams’ new home and better the community. But these weren’t ordinary employees; they were formerly imprisoned. ‘Last Chance U’ star Dakota Allen was among Rams players who swapped stories with these men seizing another chance at life. The meeting with the approximately 100 formerly incarcerated was captured by NFL Network’s Steve Wyche.

The @RamsNFL rookies found out today that being in the @NFL is far more than making plays on the field. They met roughly 100 former inmates who are building the new LA Stadium – and building better lives. @nflnetwork. pic.twitter.com/hIYKUkS1Wn

— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) June 7, 2019

The Rams also recently helped host a football clinic for children with incarcerated parents.

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In many cases, acts of altruism are inspired by our own experiences, often tragic. This is certainly the case for 49ers DE Solomon Thomas, who lost his sister, Ella, to suicide in January 2018. Ella was struggling with mental illness. Since her passing, Solomon has been a staunch advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. For the second straight year, he participated in San Francisco’s American Foundation for Suicide Preventions Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk last weekend.

Thomas and his family were joined by teammates like WR Dante Pettis and a number of members of the 49ers staff. The 49ers also made a $10,000 donation to ASFP in Ella’s name.

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Per Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer, members of the Carolina Panthers split into groups on Monday to present local non-profits with funding as part of its Player Impact Committee. Players researched many worthy organizations and donated $300,000 to non-profits ranging from teen pregnancy to literacy to affordable housing. The groups were led by TE Chris Manhertz, LB Luke Kuechly, retired DE Julius Peppers and WR Torrey Smith. Check Rodrigue’s feed for videos from the day and more details about each organization.

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Colts defensive end Al Quadin-Muhammad held a free football camp on Sunday at Kean University in New Jersey. The sold-out event for grades K-12 was coed and included football skill building, non-contact games and lectures from Quadin-Muhammad and other NFL players, along with Newark mayor Ras Baraka. Quadin-Muhammad grew up in New Jersey and was considered the no. 1 prospect in the state in 2012.

More Do-Goodery

Jets LB Brandon Copeland spent the last several months teaching a financial literacy course at the University of Pennsylvania.

Bears CB Ha Ha Clinton-Dix unveiled the headquarters for his Ha Ha HEROs headquarters at Mendota Elementary School in Madison, WI. Students were given a reading oasis and 600 new books.

Lions CB Teez Tabor chatted with students in Detroit about his rough upbringing as part of the Lions Talk it up Thursday, a player’s social-justice initiative.

The Buffalo Bills partnered with local volunteers to fulfill the wish of superfan Pancho Billa, who recently passed away, and stuff backpacks with school supplies for students in need.

The New York Giants are teaming up. with Westchester County domestic violence non-profit, My Sisters’ Place to support victims of abuse.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgersmade a seven-figure donation to Cal Football to renovate the program’s locker room and establish a football scholarship.

Dolphins WR Albert Wilsonis being honored as a Community Hero. Wilson is a tireless volunteer in his community, working with all facets of those in need.

Upcoming Events

Redskins CB Josh Norman returns to his hometown of Greenwood, SC this weekend for his annual Fun Day, a free event for of bounce house, games, and more.

Jets CB Brian Poole,Titans LB Rashaan Evans and Giants CB Antonio Hamilton are  all hosting free football camps this weekend, and Eagles CB Jalen Mills is hosting a free 7-on-7 tournament.  (Click on names for more details.)

The post This Week in NFL Do-Goodery: Solomon Thomas, Malcolm Jenkins, Jamon Brown appeared first on The Football Girl.

In our last roundup we spotlighted the Panthers for performing a bevy of community work, Lions WR Marvin Jones who handed out shoes to needy kids, and Ravens rookie LB Jaylon Ferguson who spent his draft night in Louisiana aiding with tornado relief. This week we being back in North Carolina… 

Greg Olsen Provides Massive Donation to Pediatric Cardiac Center

When Greg and Kara Olsen’s son, T.J., was born with a congenital heart defect, their lives changed forever. T.J. has undergone multiple surgeries and the Olsens and TJ live every day with the reality of this delicate and critical condition. The couple has devoted ample time and resources to understanding congenital heart defects and decided their calling was in helping other affected families.

In 2017, they made a sizable donation to the cardiac neuro-developmental clinic at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte. And last week Olsen announced that he and Kara are donating a massive $2.5 million  to build the “Heartest Yard” pediatric cardiovascular and congenital heart outpatient clinic.

“While most know Greg Olsen as a Pro Bowl tight end for the Carolina Panthers, we at Levine Children’s know him and his wife, Kara, as visionary leaders and champions for pediatric congenital heart disease,” Dr. Stacy Nicholson, president of Levine Children’s, said in a press release.

Shortly after T.J. was born, the Olsens established Receptions for Research, a foundation intersecting Greg’s career with his son’s plight. In the years since, the Olsens have shown a deep and consistent dedication to raising money to provide resources through special events like a 5K and pledging money for every catch Olsen makes in season.

Jim Irsay, Colts Honor Chuck Pagano With Big Donation

Most fired NFL coaches have nothing todo with the team that dumped them. They move onto new pastures, and the team immediately shifts its direction. But not Chuck Pagano and the Indianapolis Colts. Pagano, now the defensive coordinator with the Bears, was in Indianapolis last week for his annual Chuckstrong fundraiser which raises money for cancer research at Indiana University. The fundraiser began in 2014 when Pagano, then the Colts head coach, was diagnosed with leukemia.

This year’s event raised a stunning amount, mostly on the heels of Jim Irsay’s $1 million donation. Irsay and the Colts heavily supported Pagano during his cancer battle, providing him with any necessary resources. The generosity laid the groundwork for a long-term relationship between Pagano and the Colts that long transcends football. The NFL’s key marketing slogan the past few years has been “Football is Family.” Irsay and Pagano embody that motto.

Ezekiel Elliott Pays For Funeral of Slain Teen Football Player

On May 4th, 14-year-old Jaylon McKenzie was leaving a party in Illinois when he was struck by a bullet and died.  McKenzie was a star running back, receiver and defensive back at Mason-Clark Middle School in East St. Louis, and was so gifted that he was recently featured in Sports Illustrated as one of the top young athletes who would one day rule sports. McKenzie was also a huge fan of Ezekiel Elliott, who hails from St. Louis. Elliott caught wind of the the tragic news and decided to pay for McKenzie’s funeral. Elliott’s mom, Dawn, will be in attendance.

“Him being a guy from the St. Louis area and me growing up there, I can only imagine what his family is going through and he had such a bright future,” Elliott told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram this week. “When I first read the story the first thing I did was call my Little League football coach and ask him if he knew the family and if he could reach out to them for me. I am just glad I can help the family in any way I can.”

More acts of goodness:

• Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster hosted his first annual water balloon party and dodgeball tournament in Oakdale, Pennsylvania. Smith-Schuster purchased food and provided cash prizes to participants.

“I’M A KID. I’M ONLY 22 YEARS OLD” — @TeamJuJu hosts 1st Annual Water Balloon Fight free of charge for everyone today in Oakdale, PA pic.twitter.com/HW3m1QtZXM

— Chase Williams WPXI (@chasepwilliams) May 11, 2019

• Falcons safety J.J. Wilcox spent time with kids at the Boys and Girls Club in Cairo, Georgia and participated in a 5k to honor his mother who was a stalwart of the organization.

• Texans DE J.J. Watt donated $10,000 to support the family of a Wisconsin firefighter who died fighting a natural gas leak explosion.

• The Cincinnati Bengals donated $10,000  to St. Bernard-Elmwood Place’s Athletic Department.

• Titans DBs Kevin Byard and Logan Ryan paid a large chunk of the funeral costs for the mother of football phenom Toni Harris. Harris’s mother unexpectedly passed away last week. Roger Goodell also contributed $5,000 toward funeral costs.

• The NFL has launched Huddle for 100,  a campaign to inspire a million fans to volunteer in their communities for 100 minutes. The league is celebrating its 100th season

• Redskins safety Landon Collins will be hosting his annual celebrity softball game in Rockland County, NY on June 8^th. Proceeds from the event will go to St. Christopher’s, an organization that helps at risk youth. A birdie tells us that Landon brought in a professional women’s softball player last year, and she struck out Saquon Barkley three times!

• Jaguars safety Jarrod Wilson will be a hosting a FREE football camp for kids ages 7-17 on Akron, Ohio on June 22^nd.

The post This Week in NFL Do-Goodery: Greg Olsen, Ezekiel Elliott, Jim Irsay appeared first on The Football Girl.