Take a trip back in time to discover the origins of America's most popular sport. While football has its roots in ancient ball games - modern football dates back to a November 6, 1869 contest between Princeton and Rutgers Universities. Changes to the game of football progressed in its near 150 year history. Modern fans would scarcely recognize a game without a line of scrimmage, downs, or forward pass; where a field goal produces more points than a touchdown; or where players battle without pads or helmets. Equipment has changed over the years to meet the evolving protection needs of the game and its players.
College football began with the Ivy League institutions and spread coast to coast by the 1890s, creating bitter rivalries along the way. Professional football evolved from amateur clubs in the 1880s, and the National Football League was created in 1922. Television and the pass-heavy offense featuring superstar quarterbacks changed the league in the 1960s and 1970s. This exhibition of rare and iconic artifacts shows the dizzying breath and scope of the history of the game of football.