In 1876, a coach named Walter Camp, who is considered the “Father of American Football,” helped produce the first rules of American football. Among important changes were the introduction of line scrimmages and down-and-distance rules. That was over 100 years ago! After such a lengthy lineage of success, it comes to no surprise there are a ton of interesting “fun facts” surrounding the sport of American Football. Here are just a few of fun facts that Workman’s Friend has found about America’s favorite sport.
- The first recognized football game as played between Rutgers and Princeton Universities in 1869, using rugby-like rules.
- The most watched television event in the United States is the Super Bowl.
- Contrary to common opinion, the “G” on the Green Bay Packers helmet doesn’t stand for Green Bay. Rather, it stands for “Greatness.”
- The Baltimore Ravens are named after Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven.” The team mascots are named Edgar, Allan, and Poe. Poe wrote his famous poem while living in Baltimore in the 1830s.
- Super Bowl XLV was the first Super Bowl with no cheerleaders at the game because both the Steelers and the Packers don’t employ cheerleaders.
- Helmets weren’t mandatory for football players until 1939.
- Antacid sales increase by 20% the day after the Super Bowl. Additionally, 6% of Americans will call in sick the day after.
- Americans eat approximately 1.25 billion chicken wings on Super Bowl weekend.
- Jersey number 12 was retired for the fans of Seattle, or the 12th man. However, while Sam Adkins played for Seattle, number 12 was his jersey number.
- Former Minnesota Vikings kicker Fred Cox invented the Nerf football back in 1972. He still receives royalties for every unit sold.
One last fun fact! Where did the term “pigskin“ originate?
Of course, nowadays footballs used by the NLF are made from cow hide leather. Footballs for high school teams as well as for organized youth leagues allow for rubber or plastic materials as a less expensive alternative. So why do we refer to the football as a “pig skin”?
The truth is, footballs were never made from the skin of a pig. Football fans often perpetuate the idea that footballs used to be made of pigskin, which is how they got their nickname, but it turns out this isn't the case.
Remember, football has been around for well over 100 years. Originally, footballs were made out of animal bladders—sometimes the bladder of a pig, which is thought to be how the moniker "pigskin" came about. Animal bladders were much more accessible to the average team than more expensive items like leather. When the bladder was inflated, it was mostly round and served well as a ball for gameplay.
Don’t leave your skin looking and feeling like a Pig’s Skin! – Workman’s Friend offers a Super Line-Up of skin care products for active, hard-working hands.
Before you go out and toss the old pig skin with your buddies, coat your hands with Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream to protect your hands during your outdoor sporting activities. The barrier protection will make clean-up quick and easy so you can get right back inside for The Big Game. Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream holds in your body’s natural moisture as it shields dirt, grime, plant oils and any chemicals you may come into contact with. Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream will keep your hands hydrate. Over time, daily use will heal your hands, making them look younger and healthier.
Maintaining healthy skin after a day’s hard-working activities using Workman’s Friend Healing Hand Cream should be a daily regimen. An application in the morning and again before bedtime will help your skin survive unscathed. Workman’s Friend Healing Hand Cream will moisturize and heal your damaged skin. When used over time, your skin will return to its healthy appearance.
Sometimes you just need a soap with a little extra elbow grease, right? Try Workman’s Friend Hand Cleaner with Activated Charcoal to get rid of that grease or grime. The activated charcoal cleans deep into your skin, detoxing away the bad elements that hard-working hands pick up on an active day.
Try all of our products. We offer a 3-Pack Workman’s Friend Skin Care Bundle. You will receive a 3.38 oz. tube of Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream, a 2.5 oz. jar of Workman’s Friend Healing Hand Cream, and an 8 oz. bottle of our Workman’s Friend Hand Cleaner with Activated Charcoal.
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