The NFL was founded in 1920, originally under the name American Professional Football Association (APFA) , and it officially adopted the name National Football League in 1922.

Quick Scoop: NFL Origin

  • The league traces its founding to a meeting in Canton, Ohio, in 1920, when several midwestern professional teams banded together to organize a formal association.
  • At that time it was called the American Professional Football Association, reflecting a loose coalition of teams trying to standardize schedules, rules, and player contracts.
  • In 1922, the APFA rebranded itself as the National Football League to signal its broader ambitions beyond regional Midwestern football.

In short: if you’re wondering “when was the NFL founded?” — the answer is 1920, with the modern name arriving just two seasons later.

TL;DR: The NFL began in 1920 as the APFA and became the National Football League in 1922.

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