American Football Guide

Players
Each team is comprised of 53 players, which is called the active roster. NFL players are all
members of a union called the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). There
are three types of players: offensive, defensive and special teams. With very rare exception,
almost every NFL player will come to the NFL after playing football in college. A normal
college career lasts 4-5 years, but an exceptionally talented player can come out of college early
after 2-3 years, declaring himself eligible for the NFL draft. Sometimes this is to a player’s
advantage when you consider the money he stands to earn. Injuries are very common in football.
If he gets injured in his senior year of college he may lose out on millions of dollars or may not
even be drafted at all. Others opt to remain in college for the full duration until graduation. In the
majority of cases this is the best path for a player to take who has NFL aspirations. College is
where​ ​the​ ​player​ ​will​ ​perfect​ ​his​ ​craft​ ​before​ ​turning​ ​pro.
Uniforms
Pro​ ​players​ ​wear​ ​uniform​ ​numbers​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​position​ ​they​ ​play.
● Quarterbacks,​ ​kickers​ ​and​ ​punters,​ ​and​ ​other​ ​specialists:​ ​1-19
● Wide​ ​receivers:​ ​10-19,​ ​80-89
● Running​ ​backs​ ​and​ ​defensive​ ​backs:​ ​20-49
● Offensive​ ​linemen:​ ​50-79
● Linebackers:​ ​50-59​ ​and​ ​90-99
● Defensive​ ​linemen:​ ​60-79​ ​and​ ​90-99
● Tight​ ​ends:​ ​80-89,​ ​or​ ​40-49​ ​if​ ​all​ ​are​ ​taken
Playmakers
There are certain players who are recognized for their extraordinary abilities on the football field
on both offense and defense. Every team has them. They are called playmakers. Playmakers are
rainmakers, candy-men, the money-makers...they just make things happen. I define playmaker as
a player who makes big plays on a consistent basis and who is capable of changing a game into a
positive direction for his team through his unique abilities alone. Every single player in the NFL
is already the best of the best just for making it into the league at all, because most college
football players will simply not make it to the pros. Yet each team has about 2 or 3 players
(sometimes more, sometimes less) that can make eye- opening, eyebrow-raising, jaw-dropping
plays​ ​week​ ​in​ ​and​ ​week​ ​out.
Yanks​ ​Guide​ ​-​ ​The​ ​#1​ ​Guide​ ​to​ ​American​ ​Football
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