Pa Corbin and A Trick Well Executed

William Herbert “Pa” Corbin (FindAGrave)

Football centers have snapped the ball with their hands since 1893 or 1894, but they snapped it with their feet until then or kicked it forward to put it in play. Beginning in 1876, football followed slightly modified Rugby Union rules, so play largely amounted to a mass of players on either side pushing, pushing, and kicking the ball toward their opponent's goal. Play was continuous; there wasn't a designated player who started play by snapping the ball.

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