The Complete History of the NFL & American Football | NFL Vault
Summary
TLDRThis video chronicles the evolution of the NFL, starting from its origins in 1920 when pro football teams met in a Hupmobile dealership to form the American Professional Football Association. The story highlights key moments, such as the rise of Red Grange, the first NFL Championship game in 1933, the formation of the AFL, and the eventual NFL-AFL merger. It touches on legendary teams, players, and innovations that shaped the league, from Vince Lombardi’s Packers to Bill Walsh’s 49ers, ending with modern dynasties like the Patriots, and thrilling Super Bowl moments.
Takeaways
- 🏈 The NFL began as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) in 1920, formed by pro football team owners in Canton, Ohio.
- 💰 Red Grange became the first major NFL star, signing a groundbreaking $100,000 contract in 1925, and boosting the league's popularity.
- 🏆 The NFL Championship Game was introduced in 1933, played between the top teams from each division, leading to increased competition and fan interest.
- 👊 World War II depleted NFL rosters, resulting in merged teams like the 'Steagles' to keep the league running during the war.
- 🤝 The NFL and the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) merged in 1949, integrating teams like the Browns and 49ers into the NFL.
- 🎥 Coach Paul Brown pioneered the use of game film study, which helped the Browns dominate and win three championships in the 1950s.
- 🎯 The AFL was created in response to the NFL's rising popularity, introducing teams like the Raiders, Chiefs, and Bills. Eventually, the NFL and AFL merged in 1970.
- 🏅 The Green Bay Packers, led by coach Vince Lombardi, won the first two Super Bowls, cementing their legacy in NFL history.
- 🎮 Bill Walsh's West Coast offense revolutionized the game, helping the 49ers win three Super Bowls in the 1980s.
- 🤠 The Cowboys, Steelers, and 49ers became dominant teams in the 1990s and early 2000s, while Tom Brady's Patriots defined the era as the league's only true dynasty.
Q & A
What event marked the official founding of the National Football League (NFL)?
-The NFL was founded on September 17, 1920, at a Hupmobile dealership in Canton, Ohio, when owners of existing pro football teams formed the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the NFL.
Who was Red Grange, and why was he significant to early NFL history?
-Red Grange was the NFL's first major star, joining the Chicago Bears in 1925 after his college career at the University of Illinois. He gained fame for scoring 31 touchdowns and earning a then-record sum of $100,000.
When and why did the NFL introduce its first championship game?
-The NFL introduced its first championship game in 1933 to capitalize on the growing popularity of football. It was played between the best teams from each division.
How did World War II affect the NFL and its teams?
-World War II depleted league rosters, leading to merged teams like the 'Steagles' (a combination of the Steelers and Eagles) that played against whoever was left.
What innovation did Paul Brown bring to the NFL in the 1950s?
-Paul Brown, coach of the Cleveland Browns, pioneered the use of film study in football, helping his team win three championships in the 1950s.
What was the significance of the 1958 NFL Championship game?
-The 1958 NFL Championship game between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants is known as 'The Greatest Game Ever Played.' It ended in sudden-death overtime, boosting the NFL's popularity.
How did the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 change the landscape of professional football?
-The 1970 AFL-NFL merger unified the two competing leagues, creating a stronger NFL that introduced new teams and increased competition, cementing the league's dominance in professional football.
What offensive strategy did the San Diego Chargers and coach Don Coryell popularize in the late 1970s?
-The San Diego Chargers under coach Don Coryell introduced 'Air Coryell,' a high-powered passing offense that influenced modern offensive strategies, although the team did not win a Super Bowl.
What is the 'West Coast Offense,' and which team used it to dominate the 1980s?
-The 'West Coast Offense' is a short-pass-focused offensive system developed by Bill Walsh, which helped the San Francisco 49ers win three Super Bowls in the 1980s.
How did the NFL evolve in the 2000s in terms of competition and team dynamics?
-The 2000s saw traditional powerhouses crumble due to salary cap restrictions and increased parity, allowing teams like the Ravens, Buccaneers, and Patriots to rise as new champions.
Outlines
🏈 The Origins of the NFL: From Hupmobile Dealership to Red Grange's Rise
The story of the NFL begins in 1920 at a Canton, Ohio Hupmobile dealership, where owners of pro football teams gathered to form the American Professional Football Association (APFA). By 1922, the APFA became the National Football League (NFL). The league’s first major star, Red Grange, a University of Illinois standout, joined the Chicago Bears in 1925, earning $100,000, an unheard-of sum at the time. He thrilled fans with 31 touchdowns, and his popularity helped propel the NFL to create its first championship game in 1933. During the 1930s, teams like the Bears, Giants, and Redskins dominated, with standout players like Sammy Baugh revolutionizing the game with their passing abilities.
🌍 War, Merger, and Paul Brown’s Innovations Shape the NFL’s Future
World War II severely impacted the NFL, with teams combining their rosters to stay afloat. Post-war, football’s popularity soared, leading to the creation of the All-America Football Conference (AFC) with teams like the Browns, 49ers, and Colts. Rather than causing rivalry, the NFL and AFC merged in 1949. Legendary coach Paul Brown introduced innovations such as film study, helping the Browns secure three championships in the 1950s. Detroit also shined, led by quarterback Bobby Layne, before Johnny Unitas and the Colts captured hearts in 1958 by winning the 'Greatest Game Ever Played' in sudden-death overtime.
🏆 Packers Dominate Early Super Bowls, AFL Emerges as Strong Contender
In the 1960s, the NFL’s dominance was challenged by the emergence of the AFL, with teams like the Bills, Broncos, and Raiders. The Green Bay Packers, coached by Vince Lombardi, became the standard of excellence, winning the first two Super Bowls, with the league’s championship trophy later named after Lombardi. Meanwhile, Jim Brown broke numerous records before retiring at age 29. In Super Bowl III, Joe Namath’s 'guarantee' led the underdog New York Jets to victory over the Colts, proving that AFL teams could compete with NFL powerhouses, which culminated in the merger of the two leagues in 1970.
🔨 The Power of the Run Game and America's Team Emerges in the 1970s
The 1970s saw the dominance of ground-based football, with teams like the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys winning titles with strong running games. The Dolphins claimed two championships, while Tom Landry’s Cowboys, powered by their Doomsday Defense and stars like Tony Dorsett, earned the nickname 'America's Team.' The Pittsburgh Steelers, however, overshadowed them all, winning four Super Bowls with their legendary 'Steel Curtain' defense and players like Mean Joe Greene. Despite the heavy emphasis on the run, innovative offenses like Air Coryell’s passing game, led by the San Diego Chargers, hinted at a future shift in NFL strategy.
🏅 1980s and 1990s: Dynasties, West Coast Offense, and Epic Super Bowl Battles
In the 1980s, Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense led the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl titles, while Bill Parcells’ New York Giants became known for their powerful defenses, securing two championships. Joe Gibbs’ Washington Redskins also emerged as a dominant force, winning three titles. The early 1990s saw the rise of the Dallas Cowboys under colorful owner Jerry Jones, winning three Super Bowls. Meanwhile, legendary players like Jerry Rice broke records, and Reggie White terrorized quarterbacks with the Green Bay Packers, earning their third Super Bowl victory.
⚡ The New Millennium: Parity, New Champions, and the Brady Era
As the NFL entered the 2000s, traditional powerhouses began to fade, and new champions emerged. Teams like the Ravens and Buccaneers won their first Super Bowls, but it was the New England Patriots, led by backup quarterback Tom Brady and mastermind coach Bill Belichick, that defined the era. Their rivalry with Peyton Manning’s Colts produced legendary matchups. Brady was famously thwarted by Eli Manning and David Tyree in the Giants' upset victory. The Steelers added more rings with Ben Roethlisberger, while teams like the Saints, Ravens, and Eagles achieved memorable Super Bowl wins, each with dramatic finishes and iconic moments.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Hupmobile
💡American Professional Football Association (APFA)
💡Red Grange
💡NFL Championship Game
💡World War II
💡AFL-NFL Merger
💡West Coast Offense
💡Super Bowl
💡Salary Cap Era
💡Greatest Game Ever Played
Highlights
The American Professional Football Association (APFA) was founded on September 17, 1920, in Canton, Ohio, and would later become the NFL.
Red Grange, the first major NFL star, earned $100,000 in 1925, a huge sum at the time, after moving from Illinois to the Chicago Bears.
The NFL Championship Game was introduced in 1933 to capitalize on the league's growing popularity, with Grange's Bears dominating early championships.
World War II heavily impacted NFL rosters, leading to the temporary merger of teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers as the 'Steagles.'
Post-World War II, football gained enough popularity to support the formation of a second league, the All-America Football Conference (AFC), which later merged with the NFL.
Paul Brown, coach of the Cleveland Browns, revolutionized football in the 1950s by championing film study and guiding his team to three championships.
Johnny Unitas led the Baltimore Colts to a comeback win in sudden-death overtime in the 1958 NFL Championship, considered the 'Greatest Game Ever Played.'
The AFL was formed in response to rising demand for football, and iconic teams like the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs emerged from this league.
The Green Bay Packers, led by Vince Lombardi, dominated the 1960s, winning the first two Super Bowls and lending Lombardi's name to the NFL Championship trophy.
Broadway Joe Namath's Jets upset the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, proving AFL teams could compete with the NFL, leading to a merger in 1970.
The 1970s saw ground-and-pound football, with teams like the Miami Dolphins winning two titles and the Pittsburgh Steelers securing four Super Bowls with their legendary defense.
San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh introduced the 'West Coast Offense,' revolutionizing passing strategies and leading the 49ers to three Super Bowl victories.
The Dallas Cowboys, known as 'America's Team,' won three Super Bowls in the early 1990s under colorful owner Jerry Jones.
Tom Brady's partnership with coach Bill Belichick defined the 2000s, launching a New England Patriots dynasty.
The NFL saw parity in the 2000s with different teams like the Ravens, Buccaneers, and Saints winning championships, while the Patriots were the only consistent dynasty.
Transcripts
ever wonder how we got from this to this
to this well it all started with this a
Hupmobile
because at a Canton Ohio Hupmobile
dealership on September 17 1920 owners
of existing pro football teams met to
form the a PFA the American Professional
Football Association George Halas and
other signers likely couldn't have
predicted that two years later the a PFA
would become the National Football
League they were off and running and so
was Red Grange the first big NFL star
who in 1925 sprinted from the campus of
Illinois to the bears and the bank
pocketing the then ridiculous sum of
$100,000 to thrill huge crowds as the
galloping ghosts Red Grange carried the
ball and scored 31 touchdowns to
capitalize on its newfound popularity
the NFL created the NFL championship
game in 1933 played between the best
teams in each division granges bears
were a powerhouse playing in seven of
the first eleven championships against
teams like Tim Maris Giants and the
Redskins led by sling and Sammy Baugh
who lived up to his name by throwing the
ball all over the gridiron
he throws the football complete to past
games a yard scores a touchdown that's
the world record the NFL like the rest
of America was hit hard by World War two
league rosters were so depleted merged
teams like the steagle 's played against
whoever was left but when the soldiers
came home football had gained enough
popularity to support a second league
the AFC which included teams like the
Browns 49ers and Colts instead of a
rivalry between two leagues killing the
sport they merged in 1949 along with his
Browns coach Paul Brown brought to the
NFL innovation and domination
he was the first coach to champion film
study which helped lead to three
championships in the 50s
the Browns weren't winning Detroit was
three times with quarterback Bobby Lane
Johnny you close out the decade in style
leaving the Colts to an epic
come-from-behind victory in sudden-death
overtime in what's still known as the
greatest game ever played the huge
demand for football led to the formation
of the AFL and teams like the bills
Broncos Chargers Chiefs Oilers and
Raiders but back in the NFL it was all
Packers winning titles in a Cotton Bowl
a nice Bowl and in the first two Super
Bowls their legendary status secured
when the league's championship trophy
was named after their head coach Vince
Lombardi meanwhile Jim Brown was
rewriting record books until retiring at
the ripe old age of 29 in Super Bowl
three Broadway Joe's guarantee of a Jets
victory stole the spotlight and when
they delivered by upsetting the Colts
fans knew AFL teams weren't bit players
anymore
it was 1970 when the NFL and AFL merged
the style of football
ground-and-pound the run game was in
vogue from The Electric Company to the
new champs the Dolphins who ground out
two titles so did Tom Landry's Cowboys
behind Dwayne the silent Tony D and the
defense called doomsday these cowboys
and their cheerleaders won themselves a
new nickname America's team and a pair
of Super Bowls but the Steelers Trump
fat with four of a kind dominating the
70s with two jacks a Mean Joe
and a swan dive but it wasn't all hand
offs during the disco era as a bearded
quarterback and a brilliant coach
created a supercharged modern offense
called air Coryell San Diego might not
have one in Lombardi's but they made the
Walshes gives and Parcells
take notice Walsh's short pass West
Coast offense got it done three times
for San Francisco
[Applause]
but Parcells set his sights on defusing
it and any other wide open offense
winning himself two Super Bowls
meanwhile Gibbs left Coryell's coaching
staff and landed back on the ground
winning the Redskins three titles just
like their rivals in Dallas who led by a
colorful owner hoisted the Lombardi
three times in the early 90s then God
told Reggie wife to sign with Green Bay
and he put the fear of God in
quarterbacks on the way to the Packers
third Super Bowl while all that was
happening Jerry Rice rewrote the record
books and the bills lost four Super
Bowls setting records for fan headaches
but not even an ill-timed migraine could
stop Terrell Davis and John Elway from
picking up two titles then the Music
City miracle ended up as a mere preview
for the greatest show on turf as the
league into the 2000s the traditional
powerhouses were crumbling in the tag
Limu salary cap and parody era opening
the way for new champions like the
Ravens and the Bucs but it was a backup
quarterback partnering with a rumpled
genius that would define the start of
the era's only real dynasty
[Applause]
and his duels with Peyton Manning were
the stuff of legend no it was the other
manning who would thwart Brady along
with David Tyree who proved that it pays
to be a heavy player did he do that
meanwhile Ben Roethlisberger saw to it
that Steelers fans had a ring for the
thumb and the other hand yet unlike the
20s through the odds no team this decade
has repeated Brees saved the Saints but
got Beiste moated in the follow-up the
blazing-hot Ravens couldn't recharge
with the lights on nor off and the team
one yard from repeating had their dreams
killed at the goal line and after a DAB
in a Vaughn at Super Bowl 50 a comeback
for the ages and a Philly special that
brings us up to now 98 seasons with 99
on the horizon the NFL has come a long
way who would have thought a Hut mobile
could get you that far
[Music]
you
[Music]
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