26 Photos From the History of Football That Show the Evolution of the Sport

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 01/09/2024 in ftw

From the sport's humble beginnings in the early 1900s, football has come a long way. Here are 26 old timey football photos to take in, before we get a whole new batch from the new season.

Football is far and away the most popular sport in the United States. But it's come a long way.

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1.
"Red" Grange, leaping over coach Ralph Scott in practice, 1925.
2.
Chicago Bears vs Chicago Cardinals, 1925.
3.
Bobby Layne with the football.
4.
The Cleveland Rams, 1945.
5.
6.
7.
Jim Thorpe, 1910. Jim Thorpe was the first president of the American Professional Football Association, what is now the NFL.
8.
Vince Lombardi after winning his first title.
9.
10.
Giants head coach Jim Lee Howell, 1958.
11.
Chicago Bears’ mascot, 1968.
12.
Redskins punter Pat Richter punts from his own endzone.
13.
14.
Chicago Bears team picture, 1925.
15.
E.J. Holub after winning the Super Bowl.
16.
17.
Washington Redskins fans, 1943.
18.
Green Bay Packers helmets, 1939.
19.
20.
Red Grange and Earl Britton.
21.
The “Ice Bowl” in 1967.
22.
23.
Super Bowl I cheerleaders, 1967. Not sure if these outfits have aged too well.
24.
25.
The official rule book, 1941.
26.

1.
"Red" Grange, leaping over coach Ralph Scott in practice, 1925.
2.
Chicago Bears vs Chicago Cardinals, 1925.
3.
Bobby Layne with the football.
4.
The Cleveland Rams, 1945.
5.
6.
7.
Jim Thorpe, 1910. Jim Thorpe was the first president of the American Professional Football Association, what is now the NFL.
8.
Vince Lombardi after winning his first title.
9.
10.
Giants head coach Jim Lee Howell, 1958.
11.
Chicago Bears’ mascot, 1968.
12.
Redskins punter Pat Richter punts from his own endzone.
13.
14.
Chicago Bears team picture, 1925.
15.
E.J. Holub after winning the Super Bowl.
16.
17.
Washington Redskins fans, 1943.
18.
Green Bay Packers helmets, 1939.
19.
20.
Red Grange and Earl Britton.
21.
The “Ice Bowl” in 1967.
22.
23.
Super Bowl I cheerleaders, 1967. Not sure if these outfits have aged too well.
24.
25.
The official rule book, 1941.
26.