Why is a touchdown called a touchdown in the NFL?

It’s the most iconic play in football, yet the term “touchdown” might not mean what you think.

So why is it called a touchdown? DAZN News explains below.

How do you score a touchdown?

A touchdown happens when a player has the ball in possession and either crosses into the opposing team's end zone while running or catches the ball while in the end zone.

In that situation, if any part of the ball breaks the imaginary 3D plane that rises vertically from the goal line, then a touchdown is given, regardless of whether the player is in the endzone or if the ball touches the ground.

Why is it called a touchdown?

While today the ball does not need to touch the ground for a touchdown to be scored, that has not always been the case.

The first rules set out for the sport we know today as American football were heavily influenced by rugby and written in the 1870s.

At that time, the rules were so similar that for a touchdown to be scored, the ball had to be grounded as it is in rugby.

However, in 1889, the rules were changed so that possession of the ball beyond the goal line was enough.

Even after the rule changes, the term 'touchdown' remained in use, despite the obvious contradiction that the name still has to this day.

Click this link for more details about other NFL rules and objectives.

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