American Football: A Comprehensive Guide

Origins and History

American football, often simply known as "football" in the United States and Canada, traces its roots back to English rugby and soccer association football. It evolved into its current form over the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with rule changes and innovations contributing to its distinct characteristics.

The Game of Football

Football is played between two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The objective of the game is to advance the ball down the field and into the opposing team's end zone for a touchdown. The team with the most points at the end of regulation time wins the game.

Professional Football

The National Football League (NFL)

The National Football League (NFL) is the premier professional American football league in the world. It consists of 32 teams divided into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL season runs from September to February, culminating in the Super Bowl, the league's championship game.