Football Archives - Stabene

How an NFL Football is Made: History, Material, Design, and Production Process

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:48:57 +0000

American football, which is commonly known as football in North America is a full-contact sport played in a rectangle shaped field with goal posts on each side. It is played between 2 teams with 11 players on the ground. Both teams take turns being the offense and defense sides. The offense has to try and carry the ball to the end of the defense side in order to score a touchdown (7 points).

The defense has to try and stop them and get possession of the ball as soon as possible. At the end whichever team has more points will win. Unlike rugby, football players wear all guards while playing. That’s one reason you get to see double the action and hits players take during an NFL game. Over the years American football has become one of the most popular sports in the USA and Canada.

History

American sport football was adapted from soccer and rugby. In this sport, you can score in both ways like kicking the ball through a goal post or running into the opponent’s goal area. At the start, the game was strictly a kicking game until an idea was developed of carrying the ball just like in rugby. In the year 1874, McGill University competed against Harvard University in two sports games.

The first game was played in Canadian rugby rules which permitted players to carry the ball and throw it, and the 2^nd one in American soccer rules which only allowed players to use their feet in scoring. Harvard University felt that both rules should be applied in one single sport, so they introduced it at Yale University in Connecticut.

After two years both Harvard and Yale University met to decide the rules and guidelines of American football. One thing they came up with in the meeting was to use an oval shape ball so that it can travel better while thrown at a long distance. The first American football was made by Spaulding Sports Worldwide, based in Massachusetts in the year 1892.

Material

When the football was first invented, a pig’s bladder was used to make it. However, a rubber bladder is being used nowadays to make football. It is covered with leather made out of cowhide. The reason for using this material is because it can easily be tanned and is durable.

Design

The football is shaped in an oval design which at times gets challenging to catch. Due to its rough shape, it can bounce anyway which can’t be predicted. However, the strings sewn on the football produce a better grip for the players, and due to the oval shape, it can be held on to easily while running. The oval shape also helps the ball in flight and can be thrown at long distances during gameplay.

Production Process

After tanning the leather into a brown color, which is used in professional football, the cowhide is cut in to bend for further process.
Now the bend is cut into panels with the help of a hydraulic clicking machine.
In the next step, each panel goes through a skiving machine to alter it into the required thickness and weight.
With the help of an industrial sewing machine, a synthetic lining is sewn to each panel which comprises a mixture of different fabrics which hold the panel from stretching or growing out of shape.
After that, the holes are punched where the lace will be tied, and the inflating needle will be inserted.
All four panels are sewn together with a hot wax sewing machine so that the stitching is durable and does not open up during use. When done, the ball is turned right side out.
In the next step, a rubber bladder is inserted into the ball, and the ball gets inflated with the right pressure. The ball gets checked after inflation to see if it meets the weight and size enforced by the NFL rules.
If cleared, the ball gets branded with the manufacturer’s details. Logos of teams can also be seen on a football for people who order a customized version. You can also find footballs in different colors for playing on the streets or with friends in a neighborhood.
After inspecting the ball one last time, it gets packed and shipped to clubs or distributors.

The NFL league is gaining popularity as days are going by with the increase in players participating and tournaments being organized. Fans love all the tackling, take downs and hits that players take while on the field. Football is very commonly seen being played by teens, so if you are a football fan grab your football and show off your skills by scoring a touchdown.

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Five NFL Players who Died During Their Careers

Sun, 26 Aug 2018 08:38:16 +0000

NFL football is one of the most violent sports played in the world. Fans just love how players are desperate to tackle their opponents as hard as possible. Therefore questions have always risen regarding players safety on the field. Being such a dangerous sport only one case has been found in NFL history of a player dying on the field. Others have either died due to reckless driving, drugs or getting killed for different reasons. Take a look at 5 NFL stars who left the world during their careers:

Fred Lane

Fred was very successful playing for the Carolina Panthers, claiming records and helping his team win games. However on July 6^th, 2000, Lane was shot and murdered by his wife, Diedra. She was pleaded guilty in 2003 and was considered a violent and abusive woman who was interested in the insurance money that she would receive after her husband’s death. She was punished with seven years and 11 months in jail and released in 2009. Should have been more careful in picking a wife!

Chuck Hughes

Hughes was the only man in NFL history to die during a game which was being played in 1971. It was due to a heart attack during the last stage of the game. After his death, the Lions retired his jersey number 85.

Jovan Belcher

One the most shocking deaths in NFL history which horrified many players and fans was of Jovan Belcher. After killing his girlfriend, he drove up to the Kansas City Chiefs practice facility and shot himself in front of team officials. It was discovered later on that the 25-year-old had brain damage which caused him to perform such an act. It seems that he took too many hard hits while defending for his team.

Darrent Williams

Darrent was a cornerback for the Denver Broncos and was only 24 when he got shot. The tragedy took place 12 hours before the final game of the 2006 season. After attending a new year’s eve party Williams and a few other members of the Broncos got involved in an exchange of words with some Crips gang members. The gang followed them when they were driving off in their limo and shot at them. Williams got shot in the neck which turned out to be fatal and became the reason for the death of this young soul.

Rob Bironas

Bironas was a consistent kicker for the Tennessee Titans having a promising career. However, due to his reckless driving, he ended up in a coffin in 2014 being involved in a car accident. It was reported that he was chasing another car and his alcohol level was three times higher than the legal limit. A clear case of drinking and driving!

Five great players, five great souls and so much left to achieve in life all came to an unexpected end. The NFL world will always feel their absence and appreciates their services to the sport.

Would you like to add anything? Feel free to share your remarks in the comment section below and share with all your friends so that they could also know about these great players.

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Top 4 NFL Stars Who Excelled in both Sports and Education

Fri, 17 Aug 2018 15:49:43 +0000

Let’s just face it; NFL stars have a reputation for not performing well in school. From a very young age, they divert their focus on the game rather than on studies. More time is spent in the gym instead of a library. They even select schools which value athletes more. However, some NFL football players have emerged to become successful and hardworking students as well. Some NFL players appreciated their football scholarships and made the most out of it by focusing on both the game and studies. Take a look at some NFL stars who pursued higher studies while playing the sport.

RYAN FITZPATRICK

Ryan is a well-known QB playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFL. He has a reputation for making quick changes in gameplay and showing signs of intelligence on the field and off it. The credit goes to him getting a degree in economics from one of the top educational spots in the world, Harvard University. He also proved his intelligence by getting 48 out of 50 for the Wonderlic score, which is the highest for any QB in the history of NFL. He has also shown his skills in solving a Rubik’s cube within 2 minutes. That’s fast! I’m pretty sure this Harvard pass out can easily bag a good job after retiring from football.

JOSHUA GARNETT

For someone who is just starting his NFL career, his background reflects that he could turn out to be one of the smartest players to set foot on the field. The 2^nd generation football player was a part of Stanford and majored in human biology. When asked what he plans to do with his life in relation to his education he stated that after retiring from football he intends to become a trauma surgeon. For someone who plays a physical sport with high chances of injuries, it’s pretty impressive that he wants to become a surgeon. Whether this 23-year-old becomes successful in NFL or not, it seems he has his whole life planned.

ALEX SMITH

Kansas City Chiefs’ Quarterback Alex Smith may not have a degree from the Ivy League or a record-breaking Wonderlic score, but he has always been a smart gun in football and school. Smith used his high school years in earning extra credits which allowed him to graduate with his degree in economics from the University of Utah in just two years. Apart from that, before being drafted, he had already begun his study for a master’s degree in economics. In an interview with Sporting News, he revealed that he dreams of getting his J.D. Truly a genius!

BENJAMIN WATSON

The tight end for Baltimore Ravens, Benjamin Watson started his college life from the reputable Duke University. However, his love for football had him transferred to the University of Georgia. Watson showed his intelligence with a Wonderlic score of 48 out of 50. He is also known to have an IQ score of 170+. You surely expect this star to make excellent financial decisions as he has also mastered in finance. I don’t think he’ll ever go broke after retiring!

Athletes have a history of making wrong decisions with the money they earn and eventually going bankrupt after retiring. Do you know why? Most probably, because they never focused on their studies and becoming both intelligent in the game and life. However, the 4 NFL stars listed above are people who have shown signs of brilliance. They can surely take care of their earnings sensibly and pursue another career after retiring.

Which NFL star did you find more interesting? Which stars would you like to see added to this list? Reach out to us by sharing your comments below.

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