Why Is It Called Football in America?

By Sarah Miller · April 9, 2033

America calls its most popular sport 'football' because the game evolved from rugby and soccer but developed unique rules emphasizing forward progress on the field, particularly using the foot to kick or advance the ball in early forms. Despite minimal use of feet today, the name stuck due to historical tradition and differentiation from British football (soccer).

Why Is American Football Called Football?

The term 'football' in America refers to a sport that, unlike soccer, primarily involves hands and arms for passing and carrying the ball. However, the name originated in the 19th century when early versions of the game were influenced by rugby and soccer, both of which are also called 'football' in other parts of the world.

The key reason it's still called football lies in its historical roots and the way the game measures progress—by advancing the ball toward the opponent's goal line, traditionally done by running or kicking. The word 'foot' reflects that players' feet are used to move down the field, even if handling the ball is more dominant today.

Historical Origins of the Name

The naming confusion stems from divergent developments in sports during the 1800s:

In England, 'football' referred broadly to any sport played on foot (as opposed to horseback).
By the late 19th century, two distinct codes emerged: Association Football (soccer) and Rugby Football.
American colleges adopted Rugby Football rules with modifications, leading to what became modern American football.
The Intercollegiate Football Association was formed in 1876, adopting rugby-style rules, cementing the 'football' label in U.S. athletics.

Key Influences on American Football

Harvard vs. McGill (1874): A pivotal series of games between Harvard and McGill University introduced hybrid rules combining elements of soccer and rugby, shaping American gameplay.
Walter Camp: Known as the 'Father of American Football,' he introduced the line of scrimmage, downs system, and reduced team size to 11—a departure from rugby but retained the 'football' name.

Differences Between American Football and Soccer

To clarify why naming causes confusion, consider how the same term applies to vastly different sports:

Feature	American Football	Soccer (Global Football)
Primary Ball Movement	Hands and arms	Feet and head
Team Size	11 players	11 players
Game Duration	60 minutes (4 quarters)	90 minutes (2 halves)
Ball Shape	Prolate spheroid	Spherical
Annual Viewership (Super Bowl vs. FIFA World Cup Final)	~113 million (Super Bowl LVIII, 2024)	~1.5 billion (World Cup 2022 Final)

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights structural differences despite shared terminology. While soccer dominates global viewership, American football commands massive domestic attention, reinforcing its cultural significance in the U.S. under the name 'football.'

Linguistic and Cultural Factors

Language evolves based on regional usage, not logic. In the U.S., calling the sport 'football' became entrenched through institutional adoption:

Universities formalized the sport under names like 'intercollegiate football.'
The NFL (National Football League), founded in 1920, reinforced the term nationally.
Media, fans, and broadcasters perpetuated the name, making it standard despite international confusion.

Global Terminology Comparison

USA: 'Football' = American football; 'Soccer' = association football.
UK, Australia, Canada: 'Football' = soccer; American version is 'American football.'
Non-English speaking countries: Most use variants of 'fútbol,' 'futebol,' or 'fußball' for soccer.

Why Not Rename It?

Despite frequent jokes about renaming American football to avoid confusion, several factors prevent change:

Tradition: Over 150 years of history and branding support the current name.
Commercial Value: The NFL is worth over $100 billion collectively; rebranding would disrupt marketing and identity.
Domestic Clarity: Within the U.S., there’s no ambiguity—‘football’ means American football.
Global Distinction: Adding ‘American’ when needed resolves international misunderstandings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Why It's Called Football in America

Why do Americans call it football if they mostly use their hands?

The name comes from historical origins in rugby and early forms where kicking played a larger role. Even though hands are now dominant, the term 'football' remained due to tradition and rule evolution from older 'football' games played on foot.

When did American football get its name?

The term was adopted in the 1870s when U.S. colleges began organizing matches under modified rugby rules. The Intercollegiate Football Association officially used 'football' in 1876, solidifying the name in American sports culture.

Do other countries call American football 'football'?

No. Outside the U.S., the sport is typically called 'American football' to distinguish it from soccer, which is known as 'football' in most nations. This avoids confusion in international contexts.

Is American football related to soccer or rugby?

Yes. American football evolved from rugby, which itself split from association football (soccer) in England. Early American games blended both sports, but rule changes by Walter Camp led to a distinct sport while retaining the 'football' name.

Could the U.S. ever switch to calling it 'gridiron' instead of football?

Unlikely. 'Gridiron' is used occasionally (e.g., 'gridiron football'), especially outside North America, but 'football' is deeply embedded in American language, media, and institutions. Changing it would face strong cultural resistance.