50 Things You Didn’t Know About the NFL

1. Oldest NFL Team: The Arizona Cardinals, established in 1898 as the Morgan Athletic Club in Chicago, is the oldest continuously run professional football team in the United States.

2. Super Bowl Trophy: The Super Bowl trophy is named the Vince Lombardi Trophy, after the legendary coach who led the Green Bay Packers to victories in the first two Super Bowls.

3. Super Bowl Rings: Each player on the winning Super Bowl team receives a custom-designed ring, often encrusted with diamonds and valued at thousands of dollars.

4. NFL’s Founding: The NFL was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) and was renamed the National Football League in 1922.

5. First Super Bowl: The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967, between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

6. Most Super Bowl Wins: The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots are tied for the most Super Bowl wins, with each team having six championships.

7. Undefeated Season: The Miami Dolphins are the only team to have a perfect season, finishing 17-0 in 1972, including a Super Bowl victory.

8. International Games: The NFL has hosted regular season games outside the United States, including in London, Mexico City, and Toronto.

9. Revenue: The NFL is one of the most profitable sports leagues in the world, with annual revenues exceeding $15 billion.

10. Player Salaries: The average NFL player salary is around $3 million per year, though top players can earn significantly more through contracts and endorsements.

11. Salary Cap: The NFL operates under a salary cap, which limits the total amount teams can spend on player salaries.

12. Rookie Contracts: The NFL has a structured rookie pay scale, which regulates the salaries of first-year players based on their draft position.

13. Draft: The NFL Draft, held annually, allows teams to select eligible college football players to join their rosters.

14. Pro Bowl: The NFL’s all-star game, known as the Pro Bowl, features the best players from the AFC and NFC.

15. Head Injuries: The NFL has implemented numerous rule changes and safety protocols to address the issue of concussions and head injuries.

16. Hall of Fame: The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, honors the greatest players, coaches, and contributors in NFL history.

17. Longest Game: The longest game in NFL history lasted 82 minutes and 40 seconds, when the Miami Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in double overtime in 1971.

18. Fantasy Football: Fantasy football, where fans manage virtual teams composed of real NFL players, has become immensely popular, with millions participating annually.

19. Super Bowl Commercials: Companies spend millions of dollars on advertising during the Super Bowl, with 30-second spots costing upwards of $5 million.

20. Coin Toss Ceremony: The NFL started a tradition in 1978 where the Super Bowl coin toss is often conducted by former football legends or celebrities.

21. Cheerleaders: Many NFL teams have cheerleading squads, with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders being one of the most famous.

22. First African American Coach: Fritz Pollard was the first African American head coach in the NFL, coaching the Akron Pros in 1921.

23. First Female Coach: In 2015, Jen Welter became the first female coach in NFL history, serving as an intern with the Arizona Cardinals.

24. London Franchise: There have been discussions about possibly establishing a permanent NFL franchise in London.

25. Thanksgiving Games: The tradition of playing NFL games on Thanksgiving Day dates back to 1934.

26. Two-Point Conversion: The NFL adopted the two-point conversion rule in 1994, allowing teams to score two points by advancing the ball into the end zone from the two-yard line.

27. Revenue Sharing: The NFL has a revenue-sharing model where a significant portion of the league’s revenue is distributed equally among all teams.

28. Television Ratings: NFL games consistently rank among the most-watched television programs in the United States.

29. Instant Replay: The NFL introduced instant replay reviews in 1986 to help officials make more accurate calls.

30. Oldest Stadium: Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, is the oldest stadium in the NFL, originally opened in 1924.

31. MVP Awards: The NFL awards the Most Valuable Player (MVP) annually to the league’s top-performing player.

32. NFL Combine: The NFL Scouting Combine is an annual event where college players showcase their physical and mental abilities to NFL scouts.

33. Jersey Numbers: The NFL has specific rules for jersey numbers based on player positions, such as quarterbacks wearing numbers 1-19.

34. Franchise Relocations: Several NFL teams have relocated over the years, including the Rams, Raiders, and Chargers.

35. International Players: The NFL has seen an increase in international players, including stars like Efe Obada from Nigeria and Jordan Mailata from Australia.

36. Super Bowl Halftime Shows: The Super Bowl halftime show has featured performances by top musical artists, becoming a major entertainment event.

37. Green Bay Packers: The Packers are the only publicly owned, non-profit professional sports team in the United States.

38. NFL Network: The NFL launched its own television network, NFL Network, in 2003, providing around-the-clock coverage of the league.

39. Thursday Night Football: The NFL introduced Thursday Night Football in 2006, adding an additional game to the weekly schedule.

40. Rule Changes: The NFL regularly updates its rules to improve player safety and enhance the game’s competitiveness.

41. NFL Films: NFL Films, founded in 1962, produces high-quality documentaries and highlight films about the league.

42. Minority Coaching Fellowship: The NFL’s Minority Coaching Fellowship Program aims to increase opportunities for minority coaches.

43. Bye Week: Each NFL team has one bye week during the regular season, providing a mid-season break.

44. Longest Winning Streak: The New England Patriots hold the record for the longest winning streak in NFL history with 21 consecutive victories (2003-2004).

45. Stadium Capacity: AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, has the highest seating capacity in the NFL, accommodating over 100,000 fans.

46. Cold Weather Games: The NFL has hosted some famously cold games, including the 1967 “Ice Bowl” between the Packers and Cowboys.

47. Team Nicknames: Many NFL teams have unique nicknames, like the “Steel Curtain” defense of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers.

48. Diversity Initiatives: The NFL has implemented initiatives like the Rooney Rule to promote diversity in hiring practices.

49. Fantasy Football Impact: The popularity of fantasy football has significantly influenced fan engagement and viewership of NFL games.

50. Global Reach: The NFL has a growing international fan base, with games broadcast in over 180 countries and fan clubs around the world.