History of the National Football League Trivia
History of the National Football League trivia explores the people, teams, milestones, and turning points that shaped America’s premier professional football league. Spanning early franchises, championship eras, famous rivalries, and modern Super Bowl history, it offers a lively way to revisit how the NFL evolved across more than a century.
Easy History of the National Football League Trivia
13 questions
These easy History of the National Football League trivia questions are great for beginners and kids around age 12 and under.
Question 1
What was the NFL originally called when the league began in 1920?
Answer: The American Professional Football Association.
The league started in 1920 is the American Professional Football Association before later adopting the NFL name.
Question 2
In what year did the American Professional Football Association officially become the National Football League?
Answer: 1922.
The APFA changed its name to the National Football League in 1922.
Question 3
Which early football figure is widely recognized as one of the key founders of the NFL?
Answer: George Halas.
George Halas was one of the major founding figures in the league's early history.
Question 4
Who founded the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise in 1933?
Answer: Art Rooney.
Art Rooney founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933.
Question 5
The NFL held its first annual college draft in what year?
Answer: 1936.
The first annual college draft took place in 1936.
Question 6
Which team joined the NFL in 1950 after playing in the AAFC?
Answer: The Cleveland Browns.
The Cleveland Browns entered the NFL in 1950 after their time in the AAFC.
Question 7
Which franchise entered the NFL as an expansion team in 1960?
Answer: The Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys joined the NFL is an expansion team in 1960.
Question 8
In what year was the NFL-AFL merger completed?
Answer: 1970.
The NFL and AFL completed their merger in 1970.
Question 9
What championship game was first played after the 1966 season?
Answer: The Super Bowl.
Super Bowl I was played after the 1966 season.
Question 10
What is the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the Super Bowl?
Answer: The Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The NFL championship trophy for the Super Bowl winner is the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Question 11
Which team won the first two Super Bowls?
Answer: The Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay won both Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II.
Question 12
Which team captured four Super Bowl titles during the 1970s?
Answer: The Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers dominated the decade by winning four Super Bowls in the 1970s.
Question 13
Who is the NFL's all-time leading rusher?
Answer: Emmitt Smith.
Emmitt Smith holds the NFL record for career rushing yards.
History of the National Football League Family Trivia
12 questions
These family History of the National Football League trivia questions are built for mixed-age game nights, classrooms, and groups.
Question 1
What year needed a playoff game to decide the NFL champion after the standings ended in a tie?
- A.1946
- B.1932
- C.1930
- D.1933
Answer: 1932
A special playoff game was used to determine the NFL champion in 1932 after the regular season ended with a tie in the standings.
Question 2
In what year did the NFL divide teams into Eastern and Western divisions?
- A.1951
- B.1933
- C.1932
- D.1940
Answer: 1933
The NFL split teams into Eastern and Western divisions in 1933.
Question 3
The first NFL championship game shown nationally on television happened in what year?
- A.1958
- B.1960
- C.1951
- D.1948
Answer: 1951
The first televised NFL championship game shown nationally was in 1951.
Question 4
Which famous NFL game is often nicknamed "The Greatest Game Ever Played"?
- A.Super Bowl I
- B.The 1958 NFL Championship Game
- C.The 1932 playoff game
Answer: The 1958 NFL Championship Game
The 1958 NFL Championship Game is widely known by that famous nickname.
Question 5
Who starred for the Baltimore Colts in the famous 1958 title game?
- A.Chuck Noll
- B.Johnny Unitas
- C.Joe Montana
- D.Don Shula
Answer: Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas was the standout star for the Baltimore Colts in the celebrated 1958 championship game.
Question 6
Which football leader helped create the AFL, which later merged with the NFL?
- A.Wellington Mara
- B.Lamar Hunt
- C.George Halas
- D.Pete Rozelle
Answer: Lamar Hunt
Lamar Hunt helped create the AFL, which eventually merged with the NFL.
Question 7
What is the name of the trophy awarded to the NFC champion?
- A.Vince Lombardi Trophy
- B.Pete Rozelle Trophy
- C.George Halas Trophy
- D.Lamar Hunt Trophy
Answer: The George Halas Trophy
The NFC championship trophy is named the George Halas Trophy.
Question 8
Who became NFL commissioner in 1960?
- A.Pete Rozelle
- B.Bert Bell
- C.Paul Tagliabue
- D.Roger Goodell
Answer: Pete Rozelle
Pete Rozelle took over is NFL commissioner in 1960.
Question 9
Before Roger Goodell, who served as NFL commissioner?
- A.Wellington Mara
- B.Paul Tagliabue
- C.Pete Rozelle
- D.Bert Bell
Answer: Paul Tagliabue
Paul Tagliabue served is NFL commissioner before Roger Goodell.
Question 10
Which long-time owner was closely associated with the New York Giants?
- A.Charles Bidwill
- B.Lamar Hunt
- C.Bert Bell
- D.Wellington Mara
Answer: Wellington Mara
Wellington Mara was a long-time owner of the New York Giants.
Question 11
Who was NFL commissioner from 1946 until his death in 1959?
- A.Paul Tagliabue
- B.George Halas
- C.Bert Bell
- D.Pete Rozelle
Answer: Bert Bell
Bert Bell served is NFL commissioner from 1946 until his death in 1959.
Question 12
Which owner moved the Cardinals from Chicago to St. Louis in 1960?
- A.Wellington Mara
- B.Lamar Hunt
- C.Bert Bell
- D.Charles Bidwill
Answer: Charles Bidwill
Charles Bidwill was the owner who moved the Cardinals from Chicago to St. Louis in 1960.
Fun History of the National Football League Trivia
13 questions
These fun History of the National Football League trivia questions highlight surprising moments and playful facts for game-night groups.
Question 1
Which icy nickname belongs to the 1967 NFL Championship Game at Lambeau Field?
Answer: The game was called the Ice Bowl.
The 1967 NFL Championship Game at Lambeau Field is famously known is the Ice Bowl.
Question 2
If you wanted to visit the stadium where the Ice Bowl happened, where would you go?
Answer: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Ice Bowl was played at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Question 3
On the legendary winning play of the Ice Bowl, who delivered the famous block that sprang the touchdown?
Answer: Jerry Kramer.
Jerry Kramer made the famous block on the winning touchdown play in the Ice Bowl.
Question 4
What Bears team turned football history into a music video with the 'Super Bowl Shuffle'?
Answer: The 1985 Chicago Bears.
The 'Super Bowl Shuffle' is tied to the 1985 Chicago Bears.
Question 5
Which two-sport star pulled off the unusual feat of being linked to Pro Bowl recognition in both baseball and football during his pro career era?
Answer: Bo Jackson.
Bo Jackson is noted here for the unusual feat of Pro Bowl-level recognition in both baseball and football during his pro career era.
Question 6
Who came heartbreakingly close to the NFL single-season rushing record with 2,097 yards in 2012?
Answer: Adrian Peterson.
Adrian Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards in 2012, the second-highest single-season total in NFL history.
Question 7
Which player took home the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2006?
Answer: Reggie Bush.
Reggie Bush won the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2006.
Question 8
Which quarterback stacked up 252 consecutive regular-season starts, the most by a QB at the time he retired?
Answer: Philip Rivers.
Philip Rivers started 252 straight regular-season games, the most by a quarterback at the time he retired.
Question 9
What weekly NFL package became a regular thing on NFL Network in 2006?
Answer: Thursday Night Football.
The NFL began Thursday Night Football is a regular package on NFL Network in 2006.
Question 10
Which NFL training-camp documentary series first premiered in 2001?
Answer: Hard Knocks.
Hard Knocks premiered in 2001 is an NFL training-camp documentary series.
Question 11
What NFL Films biography series debuted in 2011?
Answer: A Football Life.
A Football Life debuted in 2011 is an NFL Films biography series.
Question 12
Super Bowl I kicked off in which stadium?
Answer: The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum hosted Super Bowl I.
Question 13
Which stadium got a Super Bowl sequel and a threequel by hosting both Super Bowl II and Super Bowl III?
Answer: The Orange Bowl in Miami.
The Orange Bowl in Miami hosted Super Bowl II and Super Bowl III.
Funny History of the National Football League Trivia
13 questions
These funny History of the National Football League trivia questions highlight playful moments, odd facts, and inside jokes.
Question 1
Which future Philadelphia Eagle basically turned a public tryout into the world's most productive open-mic night in 1976?
- A.Vince Papale
- B.Ron Jaworski
- C.Tommy McDonald
- D.Roman Gabriel
Answer: Vince Papale
Vince Papale made the Eagles in 1976 after a public tryout, later inspiring the movie 'Invincible.'.
Question 2
The movie 'Invincible' was inspired by which player who made the Philadelphia Eagles after a 1976 public tryout?
Answer: Vince Papale
The film tells the story of Vince Papale's unlikely path onto the Eagles roster.
Question 3
Name the player whose route to the NFL got the Hollywood treatment in 'The Blind Side.'?
Answer: Michael Oher
Michael Oher's path to the NFL was dramatized in the film 'The Blind Side.'.
Question 4
If someone claims 'Friday Night Lights' is an NFL drama, what league should you politely tell them it is not about?
- A.WNBA
- B.NFL
- C.NCAA
- D.NBA
Answer: NFL
'Friday Night Lights' is about high school football, not the NFL.
Question 5
True or false: 'Friday Night Lights' centers on NFL teams and front offices.?
Answer: False
The TV drama focuses on high school football rather than the NFL.
Question 6
What is the title of the book about the 1970s Dallas Cowboys that sounds like a warning label for chaos?
Answer: Boys Will Be Boys
'Boys Will Be Boys' is a book about the 1970s Dallas Cowboys.
Question 7
Detroit turned turkey day into football day in what year, thanks to the Lions?
Answer: 1934
The Lions started Detroit's Thanksgiving Day football tradition in 1934.
Question 8
What year marks the start of Detroit's Thanksgiving Day football tradition with the Lions?
- A.1934
- B.1930
- C.1938
- D.1954
Answer: 1934
The tradition began in 1934 with the Detroit Lions.
Question 9
Which city saw its Giants win an NFL title game in Yankee Stadium, proving football can crash a baseball party?
Answer: New York
The New York Giants won an NFL title game in Yankee Stadium, a baseball venue.
Question 10
The Giants once won an NFL title game in Yankee Stadium. In what city did that happen?
Answer: New York
Yankee Stadium is in New York, where the Giants won that title game.
Question 11
In what year did the NFL move the goalposts to the back of the end zone, making kickers adjust their geometry homework?
Answer: 1974
The 1974 rules change moved the uprights from the goal line to the back of the end zone.
Question 12
The famous goalpost move happened in what year: the uprights went from the goal line to the back of the end zone?
- A.1974
- B.1958
- C.1966
- D.1982
Answer: 1974
That specific goalpost relocation took effect in 1974.
Question 13
True or false: In 1974, the NFL moved the goalposts from the back of the end zone to the goal line.?
Answer: False
It was the opposite direction: the uprights moved to the back of the end zone.
Hard History of the National Football League Trivia
14 questions
These hard History of the National Football League trivia questions are for expert fans who want a real challenge.
Question 1
In what year was the APFA organized in Canton, Ohio?
Answer: 1920
The APFA was organized on September 17, 1920, in Canton, Ohio.
Question 2
Which year matches the September 17 meeting in Canton, Ohio that organized the APFA?
- A.1923
- B.1930
- C.1920
- D.1917
Answer: 1920
The organizing meeting for the APFA took place on September 17, 1920, in Canton.
Question 3
True or false: The APFA was organized in Canton, Ohio, in 1920.?
Answer: True
This is true: the APFA was organized on September 17, 1920, in Canton, Ohio.
Question 4
The modern-width inward placement of NFL hash marks dates to what year?
Answer: 1972
The hash marks were moved inward to their modern width in 1972.
Question 5
If you’re standing on a modern NFL field admiring the current hash-mark width, which rule-change year are you really looking at?
- A.1967
- B.1976
- C.1982
- D.1972
Answer: 1972
The NFL moved the hash marks inward to their modern width in 1972.
Question 6
Free agency changed dramatically in what year after the Reggie White antitrust settlement era began?
Answer: 1993
Free agency changed dramatically in 1993 after the Reggie White antitrust settlement era began.
Question 7
True or false: The dramatic change in NFL free agency associated with the Reggie White antitrust settlement era is dated to 1993.?
Answer: True
True. The listed fact explicitly gives 1993.
Question 8
In what year did the NFL move kickoff spots from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line?
Answer: 2011
The league moved kickoff spots from the 30 to the 35 in 2011.
Question 9
Which season introduced kickoffs from the 35-yard line instead of the 30?
- A.2008
- B.2013
- C.2015
- D.2011
Answer: 2011
That rule change took effect in 2011.
Question 10
Starting with which season was the extra point snapped from the 15-yard line?
Answer: 2015
The extra point was snapped from the 15-yard line beginning in the 2015 season.
Question 11
In what year did the NFL expand its regular season from 16 games to 17?
Answer: 2021
The regular season expanded from 16 to 17 games in 2021.
Question 12
Which season ended the long 16-game era by introducing a 17th regular-season game?
- A.2023
- B.2021
- C.2018
- D.2020
Answer: 2021
That expansion happened in 2021.
Question 13
The Browns-to-Baltimore move announced in 1995 was announced by whom?
Answer: Art Modell
Art Modell announced the move of the Browns to Baltimore in 1995.
Question 14
Who made the 1995 announcement that the Browns would move to Baltimore?
- A.Bill Belichick
- B.Jim Brown
- C.Don Shula
- D.Art Modell
Answer: Art Modell
The announcement was made by Art Modell.
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