The National Football League is the highest level of American Football in the USA, and started in 1920 (and is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year). Irish-born players have been involved right from the start
Picture Credit:NFL Super Bowl XXII 1988 Official Match Programme Washington Redskins v Denver Broncos Jack Murphy Stadium San Diego – Author’s Personal Collection
National Football League Irish Players and Coaches
NFL Irish Players and Coaches
(New York Giants 1980-1981, Baltimore Colts 1982)
(Buffalo Bills 1977, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1978-1979, St. Louis Cardinals 1980-1985)
Pittsburgh Steelers 1974-1976
(Philadelphia Eagles 1968-1972, Chicago Bears 1972, Detroit Lions 1973)
(New York Giants 1965, Atlanta Falcons 1966)
Ian Jones Irish-Born GAA Football, Rugby Union and NFL American Football Coach 2010-Present
Picture Credit: NFL American Bowl 1997 Official Programme – Pittsburgh Steelers v Chicago Bears – Croke Park, Dublin – Authors’ Personal Collection
National Football League International
NFL International Series; NFL American Bowl;
National Football League International Series (Major League)
National Football League International Regular Season Games in Mexico 2005-Present
National Football League International Regular Season Games in London 2007-Present
National Football League International Regular Season Games in Canada 2008-2013
National Football League American Bowls (Preseason Games):
National Football League Intercontinental 1972-1978
National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Europe 1986-1997
National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Canada 1988-Present
National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Japan 1989-2005
National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Mexico 1994-2001
National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Australia 1999
Picture Credit: NFL Super Bowl XXX 1996 Official Match Programme – Pittsburgh Steelers v Dallas Cowboys – Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona – Author’s Personal Collection
National Football League Seasons
NFL seasons; NFL preseasons
National Football League Super Bowl Era (1967-Present)
National Football League Super Bowl 1967-Present
National Football League and American Football League 1966-1969 (Irish Players) (Tom Furlong and Adrian Young)
National Football League 1970-1975 (Irish Players) (Adrian Young)
National Football League (Irish Players) 1976-1987 (Neil O’Donoghue and John Sinnott)
National Football League (Seasons):
National Football League (Preseasons):
1986 1990 1992 1994 1995 2012 2019 2020
National Football League Championship Era (1920-1966)
The most successful teams in the Ohio League and Upstate New York Pro Football Circuit joined forces in 1920, in attempt at creating a true National Football League, in order to provide a common set of rules and to cut down on the spiralling wage demands, which saw players jump from team to team in search of the best pay packet. This League, the American Professional Football Association, renamed itself the National Football League in 1922, and has since become the most popular sports league in America, although from 1920-1932 it was still a Minor (AAA) League in status.
National Football League Championship Game 1933-1966
National Football League (USA) Champions 1920-1932
National Football League 1920-1925 (Irish Players)
Major League Football (NFL & Independents):
Picture Credit: Everett Collection [Sutterstock]
NFL v Other Leagues
NFL v CFL;
NFL/AFL v Canadian Football League Internationals (1926-1969) :
American Football League International 1926
Canadian Football League v American Football League Matches 1941-1948
National Football League v Canadian Football League 1950-1961
National Football League Preseason Matches in Canada 1960-1969
NFL v American Football Leagues (1927-1942)
Whilst not strictly speaking International matches, the National Football League has also played matches against American Football League teams in the 1920s, 1930s, & 1940s.
National Football League v American Football League 1927-1928
California Winter League 1927-1928
Memphis Tigers | AAA Independent American Football 1929-1933
National Football League v Pacific Coast Football League 1936