he early history of the game of football is a very interesting story. The game was and is a series of evolutions that help make it safer for its participants. At no other time in history did the game change as much to aid player safety as in 1906. The changes had repercussions throughout the other rules, to the point where as it was almost a totally different athletic event.

Part VI of this series alluded to some of the changes, but it is now time to get into the real nitty gritty of the 1906 evolution. However, sometimes in life, to move forward we must take a step back. That is exactly what we will do in exploring the sweeping changes of 1906. The wheels of time must be turned backwards a bit more to appreciate fully football’s transformation.