Have you ever wondered, “Why is American Football Called Football” when players spend most of the game carrying, throwing, and catching the ball instead of kicking it? It’s one of the most common questions among new NFL fans, especially those who follow soccer.

At first glance, the name American football seems confusing. Unlike soccer, where players primarily use their feet to move the ball, American football revolves around handoffs, forward passes, and rushing plays. Kicking happens only during specific situations such as kickoffs, field goals, punts, and extra-point attempts.

So why has the sport retained the name football?

The answer lies in history rather than gameplay. American football inherited its name from a much older family of sports that were collectively known as football, and the term originally referred to games played on foot, not games where the ball was mainly kicked.

In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating history behind the name, how American football evolved from rugby, and why the sport continues to be called football today.

What Does the Word “Football” Actually Mean?

Many people believe that football simply means a game where players kick a ball with their feet. While that sounds logical today, the historical meaning of the word was quite different.

During medieval Europe, sporting activities were often classified by how they were played rather than by the techniques used to move the ball.

Generally, there were two broad categories:

• Games played on horseback, usually by members of the nobility.
• Games played on foot by ordinary people.

Any popular ball game played while standing or running on foot could be described as football, regardless of whether players mainly kicked, carried, or threw the ball.

This historical definition explains why several modern sports—including rugby football, association football (soccer), Gaelic football, Australian rules football, and American football—all share the word football in their names despite having very different rules.

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The History of Football Before American Football

Long before the NFL existed, various forms of football were already being played across Britain.

These early games were often chaotic and had very few standardized rules. Entire villages could participate, matches sometimes lasted for hours, and players were free to kick, carry, or even wrestle for possession of the ball.

During the 19th century, schools and universities began creating official rulebooks. However, different institutions preferred different styles of football.

Some schools favored a game focused mainly on kicking, while others preferred allowing players to run with the ball in their hands.

Eventually, these differences led to the creation of separate football codes.

How American Football Evolved

American football did not appear overnight. Instead, it gradually evolved from rugby football and, to a lesser extent, association football (soccer) during the second half of the 19th century.

In the 1860s and 1870s, colleges across the United States experimented with different versions of football. Some teams played games similar to soccer, while others adopted rugby-style rules that allowed players to carry the ball.

Over time, rugby became the stronger influence, and American colleges began modifying its rules to suit their own style of play.

Timeline of American Football

These changes gradually transformed rugby into the modern version of American football that millions of fans watch today.

The Rugby Connection

Perhaps the biggest reason American football is called football is its direct connection to Rugby Football.

Rugby itself was already part of the broader football family. When American colleges modified rugby’s rules, they kept the word football because the sport still belonged to that same family of games.

Early Americans commonly referred to their sport simply as football, distinguishing it from other versions only when necessary.

The football family includes:

• Association Football (Soccer)
• Rugby Football
• American Football
• Canadian Football
• Australian Rules Football
• Gaelic Football

Although each sport developed its own unique rules, they all share common historical origins.

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Why Do Players Carry the Ball Instead of Kicking It?

As American football evolved, coaches discovered that running and passing provided greater control over possession than constantly kicking the ball away.

The legalization of the forward pass in 1906 completely changed offensive strategy.

Teams could now move the ball efficiently through the air, opening the door to more creative and exciting gameplay.

Today, most offensive plays involve:

• Running plays
• Forward passes
• Hand-offs
• Short passes
• Long passes

Even though kicking became less common during regular play, the sport retained its historical name.

But Kicking Still Matters

Many people assume kicking has disappeared from American football, but it remains one of the game’s most important strategic elements.

Kickoffs

Every game begins with a kickoff, and teams kick off again after every score.

Field Goals

When an offense cannot score a touchdown, the kicker can still earn three points by successfully kicking the ball through the goalposts.

Extra Points

After scoring a touchdown, teams usually attempt a one-point kick.

Punts

When teams fail to gain enough yards for a first down, they often punt the ball to improve field position.

Onside Kicks

Late in games, teams sometimes attempt risky onside kicks to regain possession.

Although kicking accounts for only a portion of the action, these plays often determine the outcome of close games.

Why Is Soccer Called Football in Most Countries?

Outside the United States and Canada, the word football almost always refers to association football, better known as soccer in North America.

This is largely because association football became the world’s most popular football code.

In the United States, however, American football eventually became the nation’s dominant spectator sport.

As a result, Americans shortened American football to simply football, while association football became widely known as soccer to avoid confusion.

Final Verdict

So, why is American football called football when they carry the ball?

The answer has very little to do with how the modern game is played.

The sport inherited its name from older football games that were played on foot, particularly rugby football, from which American football directly evolved. Although today’s game emphasizes running, passing, and catching, it remains part of the historical football family, and that is why the name has never changed.

In short, American football is called football because of its history—not because players mainly kick the ball.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is American football called football if players use their hands?

Because the term “football” originally referred to games played on foot rather than games where the ball was mainly kicked.

Did American football evolve from rugby?

Yes. Modern American football developed primarily from rugby football during the late 19th century, with several rule changes introduced by American colleges.

Who invented American football?

Walter Camp is widely recognized as the “Father of American Football” for introducing the line of scrimmage, downs, and several other foundational rules.

Why do Americans call football “soccer”?

The word “soccer” originated from “association football” and became the common term in North America to distinguish it from American football.

Is kicking still important in American football?

Absolutely. Kickoffs, punts, field goals, extra points, and onside kicks remain essential parts of the sport and can often decide the outcome of games.