Concerning the field goal posts in the NFL ....?

Question

What year did the NFL move the field-goal posts to the back of the end-zone?

Thanks ... John

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Answer 1

The goalposts have moved a couple of times. When the NFL was established in 1920, they were on the goal line. They were moved to the back of the end zone in 1927. In an attempt to increase scoring, they were moved to the goal line again in 1933. But, as the years went on, NFL rules makers felt that the game needed more touchdowns and fewer field goals to become more interesting to fans, so the goalposts were once again moved to the end lines in 1974, and they've been there ever since.

In college football, as in the NFL, the goalposts were moved from the goal line to the end line in 1927, and they've never moved back. The NCAA rules committee in 1959 considered moving them to the goal line again to increase scoring. However, a compromise was reached in which the goalposts remained on the end line but the distance between the uprights was increased from 18 feet, 6 inches to 23 feet, 14 inches.

Answer 2

That's as bad as the shootout in hockey. Wins and loses shouldn't be based off 1 guy unrelated to the rest of the game. Since you said let the kickers decide it sounds like the kicker and holder would be the only ones involved with no defense or anyone else on offense. Ties are so rare anyways its not a big deal.

Answer 3

It was 1974, as there was actually a play in Super Bowl VIII that cost the Vikings a TD because an attempted pass hit the crossbar.

Answer 4

1966, due to injuries.