The Birth of College Football?

The intercollegiate football game played between Princeton and Rutgers on November 6, 1869, stands as a watershed moment in American sports history. Often hailed as the first college football game, this contest marked the humble beginnings of a sport that would evolve into a national obsession.

The game took place on a field in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and pitted the students of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) against their counterparts from Rutgers College (now Rutgers University). It wasn't football as we know it today. The rules were a hybrid of soccer and rugby, reflecting the game's nascent stage of development in the United States.

✦ Key differences from modern football included:

✦ No forward passing: Players primarily advanced the ball by kicking it or running with it.

✦ Large teams: Each side fielded 25 players.

✦ Emphasis on kicking: Kicking the ball into the opponent's goal was the primary objective.

Despite these differences, the game showcased the elements that would come to define American football: competition, strategy, and physical exertion. Rutgers ultimately won the historic contest with a score of 6-4.

This inaugural game sparked a series of matches between the two institutions, laying the foundation for intercollegiate football in the United States. It also ignited a rivalry that continues to this day, though the two schools no longer compete regularly in football.

The significance of the November 6, 1869 game extends far beyond the final score. It represents the birth of a uniquely American sporting tradition. The contest captured the imagination of students and spectators alike, paving the way for the growth and evolution of college football into the multi-billion-dollar industry it is today. This game established many firsts and served as a model for the games that followed.

The Pigskin Parade image and information were published in the Cleveland Newspapers during the 1939 Football season. There were 35 episodes, each containing 3-5 frame cells. We salute the artist and author of this series and are reposting to honor their work. Timothy Brown of Football Archaeology recognizes the syndicated cartoon series' author as Jerry Brondfield (author) and an unknown but talented illustrator.

Tim says that this Pigskin Parade is the original series written by the same author and a different illustrator from the 1969 series called "100 Years Of Football," also released in book form., which was followed by 20-some tidbits in 2023.