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1890 Rule Sets Substitution Outlook...

May 10, 1890 - A rules convention established that an injured player removed from the game could not...

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EVENTDAY | May 10

"1890 Rule Sets Substitution Outlook for Half a Century"

Last updated 📅 2025-05-09

May 10, 1890 - A rules convention established that an injured player removed from the game could not return to the contest. Players were getting injured but still staying on the field when they should have been treated by medical staff.

Note that this was, of course, eventually overturned. But there was a substitution rule that lasted until about 1941. The players could be substituted during the game, but unlike today’s rules, they could not return to the game during the same period or intermission they left (Spalding's NCAA Rule book, 1933). When they returned, they had to report to the umpire before replacing another player. So, players leaving the field for whatever reason had to be careful.

Find out more in our Football History Rewind series and in Football Archaeology's 100 Years of Football:1890's Tidbit

  • CATEGORY: Football History
  • HASHTAGS: #May10 #RulesEvolution
  • EVENTDAY: May 10
  • FOOTBALL: Rules Evolution
  • OTHER: 1890
EventDay

"Exploring May 10th in American Football's Historical Timeline"

May 10th offers a unique lens into American football's rich past. While perhaps not marked by a single monumental event, this time of year has likely witnessed key developments in the sport's ongoing evolution. Examining football history around this period can reveal insights into how the game's rules have changed and the emergence of influential figures.
Delving deeper into May's football history, particularly around the late 19th century, highlights significant periods of rule standardization. The 1890s were crucial in shaping the game we know today, including early considerations of player substitution. Podcasts and historical records offer valuable perspectives on these formative years and how decisions made then influenced the sport for decades. Considering the broader context of American football history around this time, figures like "Chuckin" Charlie O'Rourke, a notable player from a later era, remind us of the individual stories woven into the sport's fabric. Understanding the evolution of rules and the careers of impactful players across different eras provides a comprehensive view of how American football has grown and transformed over the past century and beyond.History comes alive and is remembered through the events and people connected to May 10...

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