Football's roots run deep, tracing back to ancient civilizations that played rudimentary games involving a ball and teams. These early sports, like harpastum in Rome or cuju in China, laid the foundation for modern team-based games. However, the gridiron game we recognize today began to take shape in the 19th century.

The origins of American football lie in two English sports: soccer and rugby. In the mid-1800s, colleges in the United States began to play their own variations of these games. Harvard, Princeton, and Yale were instrumental in experimenting with the rules, gradually distinguishing their style of play from soccer and rugby. The first intercollegiate game, played in 1869 between Rutgers and Princeton, resembled soccer more than the football we know today. Over the next few decades, the sport evolved significantly.

Walter Camp, often called the "Father of American Football," revolutionized the game in the late 19th century. He introduced the line of scrimmage, the down-and-distance system, and the concept of the quarterback position. These changes brought structure and strategy to the game, creating a unique identity distinct from its English predecessors.