Going for Two

The two-point conversion has become a thrilling element in football, adding an extra layer of strategic decision-making and excitement to the game. However, its history reveals a fascinating journey of experimentation and gradual adoption.

The story begins in 1922, when college football established the rule of awarding one point for a successful kick following a touchdown. This remained the standard until 1958, when the rulemakers, recognizing the need for offensive innovation, introduced the two-point conversion attempt. Teams could now choose to run or pass the ball from the three-yard line for two points, while a successful kick still earned one point.

In recent years the NCAA rules have been modified to say that 2-point conversions are mandatory after a TD once a third Overtime session has been reached.

While the NFL initially resisted adopting the two-point conversion, the American Football League (AFL) embraced it as part of its rulebook from its inception in 1960. This nine-year experiment provided valuable data and showcased the strategic potential of the two-point conversion.

In the late 1960s, as merger talks between the NFL and AFL progressed, the NFL briefly experimented with the two-point conversion. However, it wasn't until the early 1990s that the NFL Europe, formerly the World League of American Football, began experimenting with it more extensively. This served as a testing ground for the NFL, allowing them to analyze the potential impact on the game.

Finally, in 1994, the two-point conversion officially arrived in the NFL, but with a slight twist. Instead of the three-yard line used in college football and the AFL, the NFL opted for the two-yard line, creating a more challenging attempt. Tom Tupa of the Cleveland Browns holds the honor of scoring the first-ever two-point conversion in NFL history, achieving the feat in a 1994 Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The most conversions scored by one NFL player is Pro Football Hall of Fame Running Back Marshall Faulk who had seven regular season and one post season conversions to his credit. Alvin Kamara in the middle of the 2023 season has seven conversions and could catch and overtake Faulk at some point.

The two-point conversion has played a pivotal role in some of the most memorable moments in football history. James White's two-point conversion in Super Bowl LI for the New England Patriots stands as a prime example, contributing to their historic comeback victory against the Atlanta Falcons.

Statistically, studies suggest that the two-point conversion holds a success rate between 44% and 55%, slightly lower than the single extra point attempt. This data informs strategic decisions, with coaches analyzing the game situation and probability of conversion before making the crucial call.

Dick Vermeil developed the following chart while coaching at UCLA in the 1970s.

The concept of a defensive two-point conversion emerged in college football in 1988 when St. John's defeated Iona College 26-24, marking the first instance of this feat in a college game. Since then, only one player, Tony Holmes of the Texas Longhorns, has achieved the remarkable feat of scoring two defensive two-point conversions in a single game, which occurred against the Iowa State Cyclones in 1998.

In the NFL, defensive two-point conversions were not allowed until 2015 when the league owners implemented the rule. The very first player to score a defensive two-point conversion in the NFL was Stephone Anthony of the New Orleans Saints, who returned a blocked extra-point kick by Graham Gano of the Carolina Panthers on December 6, 2015. The following year, on December 4, 2016, Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs made history by becoming the first player to return an interception for a defensive two-point conversion, picking off a pass from Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons.
 

As the game evolves, the two-point conversion continues to be a topic of discussion and debate. Some argue for adjustments to its implementation, while others believe it adds a valuable element to the game. Regardless of its future development, the two-point conversion's journey from its experimental beginnings to its current prominence underscores its impact on the ever-changing landscape of football.

Credits:

The banner image is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of Alabama-bound Derrick Henry, the No. 1 career rushing leader in American high school football history for Yulee (Fla.) High School, dashes for a two-point conversion that capped a 15-8 victory for the East in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Jan. 5, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Henry, who also had a 2-yard touchdown run, finished with a game-high 53 yards on 11 carries. (U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs)