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History of the NFL

  • Black players in professional American footballCharles Follis began receiving pay for playing football in 1899. He played for the Shelby Blues from 1902 until 1906. This moment marks the earliest known…
  • NFL on Thanksgiving DayThe concept of American football games being played on Thanksgiving Day dates back to 1876, shortly after the game had been invented.
  • NFL franchise moves and mergersThe Decatur Staleys moved to Chicago in 1921 and changed their name to the Chicago Bears in 1922. This early shift marked a pattern of frequent relocations…
  • AFL–NFL mergerIn 1920, the National Football League began its existence as a collection of regional teams. For decades, it faced challenges from rival leagues that tried…