Football is one of the great American pastimes, and it is defined by its rich history. Here are 20 amazing vintage photos that celebrate said history.
Cornell vs. Brown in 1914
The dirty field, the old school uniforms, the black-and-white tones. This 1914 football game between Cornell and Brown is a snapshot of an event that happened more than one hundred years ago. That fact alone speaks for itself.
University of Chicago player in 1909
It’s not only a great snapshot of a moment in the early 1900s, but it is also a beautiful photo since it captures the player’s movement with grace.
Billy Cannon, Louisiana State University’s All-American halfback
Cannon is captured right in the moment of action, which is a very cool shot that highlights the raw feel of the sport at the time.
A Sports Illustrated issue featuring Tommy Nobis
Sometimes it’s not just a standard photo, but also the context. This Sports Illustrated cover can take a lot of people back to a time when football was a very different sport and idea.
University of Southern California Trojans football team vs Saint Mary’s College Gaels
Once again, a photo that shows the dirty fields that they used to play in, the old school protection they were using, and simply captures the players in the thick of it.
A player of the West Point football team in 1919
From the old-school security equipment to the setting, this photo lives and breathes nostalgia. It also shows how much the sport has changed, even from an equipment perspective.
Jim Brown
Jim Brown with both a basketball and a football. He excelled as a football player, but also showed great promise in other sports.
A player for the University of Pennsylvania in 1910
Perhaps the most vintage part of this photo is the pants. It’s something that has changed radically in the game and can be a great telltale sign of the era these photos were taken.
Fran Tarkenton in 1959
The star of the 1959 SEC champion Dawgs, guiding them to another victory at the Orange Bowl.
Brown University players in a game against Cornell University in 1914
Beyond being a vintage moment, it’s also a great photo since it captures the exact moment when the player is kicking.
Player back in the day
From the shoes to the pants and the shirt, this photo captures a moment in time in the sport when things were only beginning and a lot was going to change throughout the years.
Georgetown University player John Thornton in 1918
Pictures like this also serve to highlight the early influences of rugby in American football. That can be seen in things such as Thornton’s helmet in this photo.
Red Grange (left) in the 1930s
Named by ESPN in 2008 as the greatest college football player to ever live, Red Grange is shown here during his heyday in the 1930s.
Playing and loving the game in 1912
Sometimes the simplest moments speak the loudest. And this photo of young men simply having a great time while playing football is a great example of that.
Bubba Smith
Legendary college football player Bubba Smith during his heyday. This photo alone highlights the difference in size and strength he had over his teammates and rivals.
Football in 1920
Football players in the thick of it in 1920, with the uniforms also showcasing the difference between the modern and old times. It’s also a great encapsulation of what the sport looked like back in the day.
The game attracting the next generation
This photo, which was taken in 1924, shows how, regardless of the era, football is going to continue to attract new fans, continuing the love for the game.
The intensity of the sport
Even though there was a lot less safety back in the day, photos like this show how players were still willing to give their all.
Head coach Sammy Baugh of Howard Simmons University
The coaches also deserve a moment of attention. Here we can see Sammy Baugh of Howard Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, which is a great snapshot of his heyday as a coach.
Simply an amazing photo
From the perspective, the clarity, and the expression of the player, it’s not a vintage football photo, but also a great visual of how much players were living it back in the day.
