Seat Geek: NFL Football Tickets

NFL Football Tickets:

The National Football League (NFL) represents the top level of professional football in the United States. Football fans enjoy high-scoring offenses, hard-hitting defenses, and thrilling games throughout the season. The league’s 32 teams are split into four divisions each in the National Football Conference (NFC) and American Football Conference (AFC).

The NFL dates back to 1920 when professional football was overseen by the 22-team American Professional Football Association (APFA). The APFA changed to the NFL in 1922 in an effort to further professionalize the sport. In 1970, the NFL absorbed 10 teams from the competing American Football League to change the professional football landscape.

Since the NFL’s founding, the league has steadily moved from a grinding defensive league to a showcase for offensive prowess. Rule changes like narrowing the hash marks in 1972 and moving the goalposts from the goal line to the back of the end zone in 1974 opened the field for the offense. In the 21st century, tightened rules surrounding roughing the passer and defensive pass interference gave advantages to offensive-minded teams.

The NFL has also sought to ensure fairness by using instant replay on several occasions. The league tested instant replay during the 1978 preseason and implemented the system from 1985 to 1992. NFL owners approved a return to instant replay in 1999 with tweaks to the system in following seasons.

The NFL’s history is filled with game-changing players on both sides of the ball. Washington quarterback Sammy Baugh paved the way for pass-heavy offenses and acted as his team’s punter from the 1930s to the 1950s. Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus and Browns running back Jim Brown provided intimidating faces for the league as games became TV fixtures. Stars like 49ers quarterback Joe Montana and Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor upped the entertainment value during the 1980s.