Pictured is the 1892 Allegheny Athletic Association team courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
While it may seem unremarkable in retrospect, this game stands as a foundational cornerstone for professional football. Though not an NFL game, it makes our list of Greatest NFL games because it started the trend that made pro football a reality.
The Allegheny Athletic Association and the Pittsburgh Athletic Club were two of the most prominent football clubs in the late 19th century. The rivalry between these two Pittsburgh-based clubs was intense. Their desire to prevail led to a groundbreaking decision: the Allegheny Athletic Association paid William "Pudge" Heffelfinger, a renowned college football player, a substantial sum of $500 to suit up for their team. This unprecedented transaction transformed Heffelfinger into the first openly compensated football player, a watershed moment that signaled the transition from amateur to professional gridiron competition.
Beyond the financial implications, the game itself was a spectacle. The rough and tumble nature of early football was on full display, with players often employing tactics that would be considered illegal by today's standards. The contest was a microcosm of the era, showcasing the sport's raw, physicality and its growing popularity.
While the Allegheny Athletic Association emerged victorious, the game's true significance lies in its historical context. It ignited a debate about the integrity of the sport and the blurring lines between amateurism and professionalism. Moreover, it laid the groundwork for the professional football leagues that would follow, transforming the game into a major spectator sport. This game was a turning point in the history of football, marking the beginning of the transition from amateur to professional and the rise of football as a major sport in the United States.
The 1892 Allegheny-Pittsburgh game serves as a reminder of the humble beginnings of professional football. It is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of those involved and the enduring appeal of competition. Though overshadowed by the storied franchises of today, this contest deserves recognition as a catalyst for the growth and development of the sport we know and love.
Key figures associated with the game include:
✦ William "Pudge" Heffelfinger: The first openly paid football player.
-1892 - Pudge Heffelfinger Becomes the First Person to be Paid to Play Football
✦ Allegheny Athletic Association: The team that employed Heffelfinger and won the game.
Pittsburgh Athletic Club: The rival team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Pro Football
Do you like learning about older professional teams from yesteryear? Perhaps a stroll through these FAQ's will entertain your football brain.
✦ Who was the first professional football player? Pudge Heffelfinger is documented to have been paid $500 by the Allegheny Athletic Association in 1892. Learn more about it in this post: Pudge Gets Paid
✦ When did the first fullly professional team first take the field? The 1897 Latrobe Athletic Association 1897 team was the first to play a full season, but the first fully paid team to play a single game occurred a year earlier in 1896 when the Allegheny Athletic Association paid their entire roster for two games, AAA Pioneers of Pro Football 1896.
✦ What is the most famous professional team that was not an NFL franchise? There are a number to pick from if you count rival leagues to the National Football League, but when only focusing on independent early teams the Massillon Tigers are a candidate.
✦ What is the best professional football team of All-Time? Statistics show that the 1903 Franklin All-Stars from Franklin, Pennsylvania out perform any team in history, learn more about them here: 1903 Franklin All-Stars.
✦ When did the National Football League start? Though there was a 1902 three-team league of the same name, the NFL we know today actually was organized on September 17, 1920 in Canton, Ohio as the American Professional Football Association or APFA.
