That Seven Yard Rule

October 7, 1898, Oshkosh Northwestern

Everybody knows that the game of football is based on the team with the ball getting four downs in which to make ten yards before another four downs are granted.  But back when the game was new, downs were originally limited to three and five yards was the required yardage to gain before a new set of downs was given.  For their 1898 season, the Oshkosh team decided seven downs was a better distance, but obviously Menasha did not agree and the game did not occur.  

A few days later, the following article appeared and it becomes apparent that Oshkosh felt Menasha had a "ringer' on its team and objected to that issue, even more than the five yard rule. It would be a while before football rules resembled what we know today and the idea of negotiation between teams as to what rules were permissible is a rather foreign concept to the current fan.  In fact, it wasn't until 1912 that the point value of a touchdown was standardized at 6 points and a field goal at 3 points.  Before that, touchdowns ranged from 2 to 5 points and field goals were, in varying years, either 5 or 4 points.  As with everything, football evolved over time.  Likely, the football fan of today would be hard pressed to recognize the game of 1898 when it looked more like rugby and forward passes were nonexistent.

October 10, 1898, Oshkosh Northwestern