Who created football?

Walter Camp, a rugby player from Yale University, created American football in the 1880s. The game grew out of a combination of soccer and rugby.

Dissatisfied with the speed of rugby, Walter Camp suggested the number of players be reduced from 15 to 11. He also instituted the line of scrimmage, down and distance rules and the center snap to quarterback. The forward pass appeared in the early 20th century with the intent of reducing injury. On November 12, 1892, a player earned $500 in a football game between the Allegheny Athletic Association and the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, thus introducing professional football.