by Ever sat down to watch an NFL game with a friend from another country and heard them ask, “Wait… why is American football called football when you play it with your hands?”
And you just stare blankly because, honestly, you’ve never really thought about it either?
It’s a fair question. I mean, look at the game. Quarterbacks are launching 50-yard bombs through the air. Wide receivers are making circus catches with their fingertips.
Running backs are cradling the ball like a newborn baby while dodging 300-pound linebackers.
Meanwhile, the kicker? That guy only shows up like three times a game — and half the time, the crowd’s getting snacks when he does.
So yeah, calling this sport “football” does seem… weird.
Especially when the rest of the world uses “football” to describe what Americans call “soccer” — a game where you literally can’t touch the ball with your hands unless you’re the goalie.
But here’s the plot twist: there’s actually a really good reason why the name stuck. And no, it’s not some conspiracy or marketing gimmick.
It’s rooted in history, British sports traditions, college rivalries, and one legendary coach who basically invented the modern game.
Why is American Football called Football When You Play it with Your Hands?
The story is way more interesting than you’d think, and once you hear it, the name “football” will finally click.
Ready to solve this mystery once and for all? Let’s dive in.
The Big Question: Why Is American Football Called Football When You Play It With Your Hands?
Alright, let’s rip the band-aid off. Why is American football called football when you play it with your hands?
Here’s the short answer: American football got its name from rugby football, the British sport it evolved from. Back in the 1800s, “football” didn’t mean “kick the ball with your feet.”
It meant any sport played on foot (as opposed to on horseback, like polo).
When rugby-style games came to America and colleges started tweaking the rules, they kept calling it “football” because that’s what it was — a version of football, just with new rules.
So it’s not about how much you use your feet. It’s about where the sport came from.
Think of it like this: we still call “smartphones” phones even though most people barely make actual calls anymore. Same logic.
The name is historical, not literal. And honestly? That makes it way cooler.
Myth 1: “The Ball Is a Foot Long” (And Other Funny Theories)
Let’s talk about the wildest myth floating around the internet: Is American football called football because the ball is a foot long?
Nope. Not even close.
An official NFL football is about 11 inches long, not 12. So, unless we’re using some weird “almost-a-foot” measurement system, this theory crashes and burns immediately.
But people love this one because it sounds like it could be true. It’s one of those “fun facts” that gets shared on Reddit threads, then debunked, then shared again by someone who missed the memo. Classic internet.
Here are some other hilarious theories people have come up with:
- “Because you run a football field, which is measured in feet!” — Creative, but no.
- “Because the game was invented by a guy named Fred Football.” — Also, no. (But imagine if it were true.)
- “Because originally, players wore shoes that were exactly one foot long.” — I… what?
The real reason has nothing to do with measurements or shoe sizes. It’s way simpler than that.
Myth 2: “Because You Use Feet Sometimes!” (Kickers Agree!)
Okay, so here’s a semi-legitimate argument: why is American football called football if you don’t use your feet? Well… you do use your feet. Just not as much as other body parts.
Let’s give kickers and punters their moment in the spotlight:
- Field goals: Kickers boot the ball through the uprights to score 3 points.
- Extra points: After a touchdown, they kick for 1 extra point.
- Kickoffs: Every possession starts with a kick downfield.
- Punts: When a team can’t advance, they punt the ball to flip field position.
So technically, feet are still involved. But let’s be honest — if we named sports based on the body part used most, football would be called “handball” or “armball” or maybe even “concussion-ball” (too dark?).
The foot-based plays are crucial, but they’re not the main event. The name “football” exists for deeper reasons, which brings us to the real story.
The Real Story: From Rugby Football to American Football
Here’s where things get interesting. To understand why is football called football, we need to time-travel back to 1800s England.
Back then, British schools and universities played rough, chaotic games that involved running, tackling, and sometimes kicking a ball.
These games were all called “football” because they were played on foot, not on horseback.
Two main versions emerged:
- Association Football (Soccer): Focused on dribbling and kicking. Hands were banned (except for goalies).
- Rugby Football: Allowed carrying the ball and tackling. Hands were totally fine.
When British students and immigrants brought rugby football to America in the 1860s-1870s, colleges like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton started playing their own versions. They called it “football” because that’s what it was — a type of football game, just with evolving rules.
Over time, American colleges made the game rougher, faster, and more strategic. But the name stayed the same.
Walter Camp – The Father of American Football
Enter Walter Camp, a Yale coach and sports visionary who basically invented modern American football in the 1880s.
Camp introduced game-changing rules that separated American football from rugby forever:
- Line of scrimmage: Replaced rugby’s chaotic scrum with a clear starting point for each play.
- Downs system: Teams got a set number of chances to advance the ball (originally 3 downs, later 4).
- 11 players per side: Standardized team size.
- Point system: Created touchdowns, field goals, and extra points.
Later, in 1906, the forward pass was legalized, which made throwing the ball a core part of strategy. This was HUGE. Rugby didn’t allow forward passes, so this made American football truly unique.
But even with all these changes, nobody thought to rename the sport. Why? Because it was still “football” — just the American version.
Why Americans Kept the Word “Football” Instead of Changing It?
So why is american football called football reddit users ask, why didn’t they just call it something else?
Great question. Here’s why the name stuck:
✅ Tradition: By the time American football became its own thing, “football” was already the established name.
✅ Identity: American colleges were proud of their football programs. Changing the name would’ve been like admitting it wasn’t “real” football.
✅ Cultural pride: As the sport grew more popular, “football” became part of American sports culture.
✅ Soccer wasn’t a threat yet: Soccer didn’t become mainstream in the U.S. until much later, so there was no naming conflict.
By the time soccer gained popularity in America, “football” was already taken.
That’s why is football called soccer in America — Americans needed a different name for the other sport, so they used “soccer,” a British nickname for “association football.”
Basically, Americans got to “football” first, so they kept the name.
Gridiron: The Other Name You Might Hear
If you’ve ever heard someone say “gridiron,” they’re talking about American football. But why is american football called gridiron?
Simple: The field looks like a grid or a gridiron (an old-school cooking tool with parallel metal bars). The yard lines create a grid pattern across the field, hence the nickname.
In Europe and Australia, people often use “gridiron” instead of “American football” to avoid confusion with soccer.
Football vs. Soccer vs. Rugby: Naming Around the World
Here’s how different countries refer to these sports:
| Country | American Football | Soccer | Rugby |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Football | Soccer | Rugby |
| UK | American Football | Football | Rugby |
| Europe | Gridiron / American Football | Football | Rugby |
| Australia | Gridiron | Soccer | Rugby |
What do americans call rugby? Just “rugby.” Simple as that.
What is american football called in europe? Usually “American football” or “gridiron.”
The Bottom Line:
So, why is American football called football when you play it with your hands?
Because the name comes from rugby football, and “football” originally meant “played on foot,” not “played with feet.”
The name stuck because of tradition, history, and cultural pride. And honestly? It’s a pretty cool origin story.
