The National Football League, or NFL, is the largest and most popular professional American football league. It was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before renaming itself the National Football League for the 1922 season. The NFL consisted of 14 teams until 1936 when it was increased to its current size of 32 teams. There are also 17 games played in each regular season. This is a result of a recent decision to extend the schedule, which runs from September to December/January. Finally, each team has a chance to make it to the playoffs, which culminates in the Super Bowl. The biggest annual sporting event in the United States.
In this article, we will take a look at how the NFL began, and look at some of the biggest teams to have existed in the sport including the New Orleans Saints, while also looking at some of the biggest and best facts from around the league.
How the NFL Began
The NFL traces its roots back to 1869. Yale University and Princeton University played what is considered to be the first-ever college football game. Over the next few decades, various collegiate and professional leagues were formed. The most notable being the American Football League (AFL), which was founded in 1896. However, it wasn’t until 1920 that the NFL was established.
At that time, there were 11 teams: the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Chicago Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Decatur Staleys, Detroit Hounds, Hammond Pros, Muncie Flyers, New York Giants, Rochester Jeffersons, and Joliet Blues. Two more teams – the Buffalo All-Americans and Toledo Maroons – began playing in 1921 but folded during or before the 1922 season. Of these 14 charter members of the NFL, only three remain: the Chicago Bears, the New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals (who were originally based in Chicago as well).
Who are Some of the Biggest Teams in the NFL at the Moment?
In terms of recent success, it is hard to look past the New England Patriots if you are thinking about who the biggest or best team in the NFL currently is. They have won six Super Bowls since 2000 (more than any other team in that time frame). The Patriots are currently one of the NFL’s most valuable franchises according to Forbes magazine. Other teams have enjoyed plenty of success in recent years including the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, and Green Bay Packers.
When it comes to the most popular teams in the NFL, a study by Emory University in 2015 found the Dallas Cowboys are America’s favorite team. They are followed by the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, and then the Seattle Seahawks. The same study also found that the Cowboys are more popular than every MLB, NBA, and NHL teams.
The Missing Team
Notably absent from this list is the New Orleans Saints. Even though they are one of the most popular and successful teams in recent memory. That is because they did not come into existence until 1967 when they were founded as an expansion team. So, while they don’t have as much history as other teams in the league, they have more than made up for it with their successes. In fact, they have won a grand total of one Super Bowl championship since joining the league, in 2010!
Indeed, there is a huge NFL fanbase in the Louisiana state. Fans regularly continuing to watch the Saints and fill out the Caesars Superdome whenever they have the opportunity. In fact, many like to participate in sports wagering with the sportsbook of the same name in the stands.
With it possible to use Caesars Louisiana to bet on sports, mainly for NFL action, Saints fans are now able to place wagers on a number of different markets. They can wager on scoring touchdowns or completing a certain number of yards in person when watching Black & Gold.
This has made the New Orleans Saints even more popular with fans from the state. It has given Louisiana fans the opportunity to be able to show their support in an entirely new way!
What are Some of the Biggest and Best Facts About the NFL?
Listed below are just some of the biggest and best facts about the NFL:
● Founded in 1920, the NFL currently consists of 32 teams. The Arizona Cardinals are the oldest team in the league, having been founded in 1898. While the Houston Texans are the newest team, having been established in 2002.
● The most successful team in NFL history is the Green Bay Packers. They have won a total of 13 championships, although most of these happened before the NFL/AFL merger. In the Super Bowl era, starting in 1967, the Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers are the most successful with six each.
● The most valuable franchise in the NFL is the Dallas Cowboy. They are worth an estimated $8 billion according to a report by Forbes.
● In 2009, the largest ever crowd to ever watch an NFL game was recorded with 105,121 people in attendance. This crowd saw the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants at the AT&T Stadium.
● The shortest ever NFL game took place in 1996 and lasted just 2 hours, 29 minutes. It was between the San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts. In contrast, the longest-ever NFL game took place in 1971 and went for 82 minutes and 40 seconds. It was between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs.
● Super Bowl Sunday is now the second biggest day for food consumption in the United States. It falls behind only Thanksgiving Day! It is also one of the most-watched events in the world. Hundreds of millions of people are tuning in and watching the game, as well as the world-famous Halftime Show.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a diehard fan who bleeds your team’s colors or someone who only tunes in for the Super Bowl parties, there is no denying that professional American football is one of the most popular sports in existence. And at its core is the NFL, a league with a rich history that dates all the way back to 1869.
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