How did NFL football get its name?

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The name NFL (National Football League) comes from its founding in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA).

Key Name Changes:

1. 1920: American Professional Football Association (APFA) – Founded in Canton, Ohio, with teams like the Decatur Staleys (now Chicago Bears) and Akron Pros.

2. 1922: Renamed National Football League (NFL) – To emphasize its status as the premier professional football league in the U.S., the APFA rebranded as the NFL.

Why “National Football League”?

• “National” – Reflected its ambition to be the top professional football league in the country (though it was still regional in its early years).

• “Football” – The sport evolved from rugby and was commonly called “gridiron football” in the U.S. to distinguish it from soccer (which was also called “football” elsewhere).

• “League” – Signified an organized association of teams.

Fun Fact:

The NFL initially competed with rival leagues like the AFL (American Football League) in the 1960s before merging with it in 1970, retaining the NFL name but adopting some AFL elements (like the Super Bowl).

So, the name simply stuck as the league grew into the powerhouse it is today! 🏈