Canadian and American football have a lot of shared history and similarities, but they also possess significant differences. A frequent misconception is that the CFL lacks quality and that any NFL player could easily excel in it. This is not the same as the truth.
Chad Johnson experienced this firsthand when he played for the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL. He was impressed by how talented the CFL’s defensive backs were, mentioning many could easily play in the NFL. While the NFL is the biggest league, the CFL has some amazing players too. So, what sets apart football in the U.S. and Canada? Let us find out right after you read about bookie gambling.
Breaking Down CFL History
Canadian football started in 1861, similar to rugby. The game adopted modern rules in 1880, thanks to Walter Camp at the U.S. College Football Rules Convention. Camp made some major changes to football. This included changing how the ball was snapped, adding a new point system, and even having 11 players per team. And when football became more popular in the early 1900s, it brought us the creation of the iconic and epic NFL in 1920.
By then, Canadian football began adopting rules similar to American football.
The Creation of the NFL
In 1960, a new football league known as the AFL started to challenge the NFL. This new league transformed how football is played now. The inaugural Super Bowl took place in 1967 and was known as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. The AFL and NFL competed against each other, but they combined into a single league with two conferences before the 1970 season.
CFL’s Expansion to the US
The CFL temporarily extended its reach into the U.S. to improve its financial situation. Although the league was traditionally Canadian, financial issues in the 1990s resulted in the choice to investigate the American market. The expansion was short-lived, yet it contributed an enjoyable chapter to CFL history.
How Are They Different?
Now that we’ve covered the history, let’s discuss the main differences in the game itself.
The initial aspect that supporters may observe in a CFL game is the variation in downs. In contrast to American football’s four downs, Canadian football features just three. With fewer downs, first-down plays seek to achieve greater yardage than in the NFL or NCAA.
In Canadian football, having three downs often leads teams to attempt conversions on third and short. Although the NFL has begun employing analytics to attempt more fourth down conversions, the CFL has consistently practiced this. Numerous Canadian teams sometimes use a quarterback specifically for short-yardage situations on third down or close to the goal line.
The CFL has consistently highlighted the significance of passing due to the limited number of plays teams have. Lately, the NFL has also shifted its focus towards passing.
The Number of Players in a Game
In the 1800s, Walter Camp reduced the player count to 11. Canadian football has 12 players on each team, likely due to its wider field. In the CFL, the additional player is generally a slot receiver because the tight end is seldom utilized. Sometimes, an additional lineman might participate in the passing play.
In terms of defense, the NFL generally employs two safeties, whereas the CFL opts for one safety along with two halfbacks.
In American football, points are awarded as follows: a touchdown earns six points, a field goal gives three, and a safety counts for two. These scoring techniques are identical in Canadian football.
Field Size
When you watch a Canadian football match, you’ll notice that the field is larger than that of American football. The Canadian field is bigger and wider, featuring larger end zones. The goalposts are situated at the front of the end zones, meaning that if the ball strikes the posts, the play is halted.
The continuous discussion about which league presents more challenges for scoring hinges on several main factors. In the CFL, teams must cover greater distances and have less time to score. Conversely, discovering open space on an American field is considerably more challenging.
Various Differences to Remember
CFL teams receive two timeouts each game, whereas NFL teams get three timeouts every half. In the CFL, returners can’t signal for fair catches and require a five-yard space to receive the ball. The CFL features a three-minute warning instead of a two-minute warning. In the final three minutes of a match, the timer halts after every play, similar to college matches. CFL overtime regulations resemble NCAA rules, featuring teams alternating possession of the ball.
In the CFL, when a ball is fumbled out of bounds, the last team that touches it retains possession. The NFL mandates that clear possession must be established. Additionally, the CFL’s Grey Cup Championship predates the Super Bowl by 58 years.
Regardless of the league you like, the important thing is to appreciate football. The CFL and NFL possess distinct characteristics and difficulties, yet both provide incredibly thrilling games.
