The passion. The pageantry. The traditions. The countdown to 150 years of the greatest game has started!

The passion. The pageantry. The traditions. The countdown to 150 years of the greatest game has started!

Close your eyes. Now imagine a time without pre-game rituals, tailgating, fight songs or Lee Corso picking your team to win. Scary, right? On Saturday, November 6, 1869, the American sports landscape was forever changed when two men decided to challenge one another to a spirited game of football which led to the first ever college match-up between the College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton University, and Rutgers University. Although it was football, the game was far different from the game we watch today. There was no carrying or throwing the ball, only kicking and the style of the play more resembled soccer given the only way to score was by kicking the ball into the opposing team’s goal.

Now, fast forward 100 years to 1969, when college football celebrated its centennial season. The sport had evolved into something much closer to the game we know and love today. Not only had the rules changed since 1869, but the look, style and feel of football had changed as well.   Players wore matching uniforms with protective equipment, television and radio broadcasts brought the excitement of the game into our homes, and players were even throwing passes down the field.

The 100^th season of college football proved to be a remarkable year full of exciting wins and devastating losses. Who could forget when top ranked Ohio State fell to #12 Michigan during a riveting night game in November? Or, when the undefeated Texas Longhorns and Arkansas Razorbacks played “The Game of the Century” in front of millions? 

Now here we are, 360 days away from the 150^th birthday of the game we all know and love. We don’t know what the 2019 season will bring, but we do know it will be full of upsets and miracles; celebrations and heartbreaks and all the thrills that glue us to our seats, making college football the greatest game!

The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame exists to celebrate and honor the people, traditions and passion of the game and with 150 years and counting, we have a lot to celebrate.