Who invented American Football? Walter Camp invented American Football. He, often dubbed the “Father of American Football,” significantly shaped its rules in the late 19th century.

The man most responsible for the transition from this rugby-like game to the sport of football we know today was Walter Camp, known as the “Father of American Football.” As a Yale undergraduate and medical student from 1876 to 1881, Camp played halfback and served as team captain, equivalent to head coach at the time.

American football originated from English soccer and rugby in the mid-19th century. While these sports influenced its early form, American football’s distinct evolution occurred in the U.S., especially within universities. Walter Camp, considered the “Father of American Football,” made significant contributions to its unique rules and gameplay.

American colleges by and large influenced the rules of football, forming the Intercollegiate Football Association in 1873. It was also a former Yale player and alumni, Walter Camp, who became known as the “Father of American Football.”