American Football Balls

History

The first "football" ever made was originally a rugby ball, later redesigned to make it easier to throw. This design was created by Charles Goodman. At first, the nickname of the football was "pigskin" because it was made with inflated pig bladders. Over the years, the football has been improved, but the melon shape has been retained.

The size of the ball today has been standardized. For both NFL and NCAA balls, the dimensions are 11 to 11.5 inches along the long axis, with a circumference around the middle of the ball of 28 to 28.5 inches and around the pointed ends of 20.75 to 21.25 inches, weighing 14 to 15 ounces. A rubber bladder is surrounded by pebble-grained leather, with the characteristic laces to provide a better grip.

User Moments

An American football is used in a game of American football. The goal is to get the ball into the opponent's end zone. When this happens, it's called a touchdown.

The best way to throw a football is to throw a spiral because it allows the ball to cut through the wind, making it easier to catch.

Materials

An American football is most often made with leather, but it can also be made with synthetic leather. The official NFL game ball is made of 100% exclusive Horween leather. The materials for making footballs include rubber bladders, stitching, cowhide, and special stitching techniques. The rubber bladder is especially important since its integrity ensures the air remains inside the football, allowing for proper play.

Age

There are actually four main American football ball sizes: Pee-Wee for ages 6 to 9; Junior for ages 10 to 12; Youth for ages 12 to 14; and finally, the Official/High School/College size, which is for ages 14 and up. This is the official American football size.

Training Equipment

On our site, you can find training equipment like a football solo trainer, as well as American football kicking tees.

The Duke Replica

Throughout American sports history, no other brand has been partnered with a league longer than Wilson has been with the NFL. Not only has every point scored in the NFL been with a Wilson American football, but every Wilson NFL game ball has been handcrafted in Ada, OH, by skilled craftsmen and women for decades.

Wilson

Wilson and the NFL have been partners for a long time. The official ball used in the NFL is made by Wilson in Ada, Ohio. The Duke is named in honor of NY Giants owner Wellington Mara.

The Duke replica ball is a 1:1 replica of the official game ball used on the field since 1941. This is the closest you can get to an official game ball.