Football is the name given to a number of different, but related, team sports. The most popular of these worldwide is Association football, which also goes by the name of soccer. The English language word football is also applied to Rugby football (Rugby union and Rugby league), North American football (American and Canadian), Australian rules football, and Gaelic football.

While it is widely believed that the word football, or "foot ball", originated in reference to the action of a foot kicking a ball, there is a rival explanation, which has it that football originally referred to a variety of games in medieval Europe, which were played on foot.Professional Football Researchers Association Origins of Football These games were usually played by peasants, as opposed to the horse-riding sports often played by aristocrats. While there is no conclusive evidence for this explanation, the word football has always implied a variety of games played on foot, not just those that involved kicking a ball. In some cases, the word football has been applied to games which have specifically outlawed kicking the ball. (See football (word) for more details.)

All football games involve scoring with a spherical or ellipsoidal ball (itself called a football), by moving the ball into, onto, or over a goal area or line defended by the opposing team. Many of the modern games have their origins in England, but many peoples around the world have played games which involved kicking and/or carrying a ball since ancient times.

More on [ Football ]

ESPN.com - NFL

Bengals receiver Chris Henry involved in serious accident
Associated Press Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:03:02 -0800
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was involved in a serious accident on Wednesday in Charlotte, the team reported on its Web site.
Eric Mangini of Cleveland Browns unfazed by team's interest in Mike Holmgren
Associated Press Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:35:47 -0800
Mike Holmgren left Cleveland after an extended stay without accepting a job to become boss of the Browns.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft defends Randy Moss
ESPN.com news services Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:18:29 -0800
Patriots owner Robert Kraft defends wide receiver Randy Moss against the Carolina Panthers' accusations.

SI.com - NFL

Bengals' Henry suffers 'life-threatening' injuries
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:50:23 -0500
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Police say Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry has suffered serious injuries after falling out of the back of a pickup truck during a domestic dispute with his fiance.
More Falcon problems: Weems facing DUI charge
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:45:25 -0500
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Atlanta Falcons receiver and return specialist Weems is facing a charge of driving under the influence last month near Atlanta.
Ochocinco wants to 'beat [Merriman's] head in'
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:43:44 -0500
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Chad Ochocinco says he wants to fight Shawne Merriman.

NYT > College Football

Finals for Rutgers, on Paper and in Pads
By DAVE CALDWELL Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:13:28 -0000
The St. Petersburg Bowl comes only two weeks after Rutgers’s last game and only days before some of the players’ final exams.
The N.C.A.A. Re-evaluating Concussion Rules
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:21:49 -0000
A panel is recommending the N.C.A.A. sideline an athlete for at least the rest of the day if he or she loses consciousness or shows other symptoms during competition.
Mark Ingram Wins Heisman Trophy in Close Race
By KEVIN ARMSTRONG Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:03:59 -0000
Alabama running back Mark Ingram became the first Crimson Tide player to receive college football’s biggest award.
Navy 17, Army 3: Navy’s Eighth Straight Against Army Ends Cadets’ Bowl Hopes
By DAVE CALDWELL Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:05:04 -0000
The Midshipmen won for the eighth consecutive time against the Cadets, who were hoping to play in a bowl game for the first time since 1996.
College Football Roundup: Prairie View’s Title Is Its First in 45 Years
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:05:36 -0000
Prairie View, which lost 80 straight games in the 1990s, rallied behind K. J. Black to capture its first championship in 45 years.
Navy Reserve Leads With Veteran Experience
By BRIAN HEYMAN Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:56:39 -0000
Cameron Marshall is the only player on the team who has already served in the military, doing two tours in Iraq, rising to sergeant and earning a Combat Action Ribbon.

Subscribe to Football RSS feed

Football skills