Historical Timeline
Explore key milestones in the development of American football and the rich history of the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
The Birth of a Legend
Walter Camp is both in New Britain, Connecticut.
The Birth of the All-America Team
Walter Camp, in collaboration with Caspar Whitney, selects the first-ever All-America Football Team. Recognizing 11 exceptional student-athletes, this established a tradition of celebrating excellence that continues to this day.
Innovating the Forward Pass
To make the game safer and reduce line-of-scrimmage collision, Walter Camp and key rules committees approve the legalization of the forward pass. This single rule change completely transformed football from a rugby variant into the modern aerial sport we know today.
Death of a Legend
Walter Camp passes away at the age of 66 years of age in a hotel room in New York City where he was attending a meeting of the intercollegiate football rules committee. It was discovered Mr. Camp was suffering from heart disease.
Inaugural Hall of Famer
Walter Camp, posthumously, headlines the first class to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame along with other legends like Amos Alonzo Stagg, Jim Thorpe and Knute Rockne.
All-America Defensive Team Unveiled
For the first time, both an offensive and defensive All-America team was selected in 1965.
Walter Camp Football Foundation Established
In New Haven, Connecticut, a group of dedicated volunteers and civic leaders officially establish the Walter Camp Football Foundation to keep Camp's vision alive, promote youth sports, and officially manage the national awards.
Guy is the Guy
The first ever collegiate punter (Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi) was selected to the Walter Camp All-America team. Guy would go on to be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Kickers Get Their Chance to Shine
The first ever placekicker (Chris Bahr, Penn State) was selected to the Walter Camp All-America team.
The Constitution State
Senior running back Rich Diana (Yale) is presented as the first ever Connecticut Player of the Year. It is awarded to the top college football player who is a resident and/or played scholastically in the state of Connecticut. Diana would go on to play in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins before becoming an orthopaedic doctor.
First 1-AA All-America Team
The first ever Division 1-AA (now called Football Championship Subdivision) All-America team was selected.
If Not First, Then Second But Still an All-American
The first-ever Walter Camp Second Team All-America team was recognized.
The Returner is Here
The first ever first kick returner (Herb Haygood, Michigan State) appeared on the Walter Camp All-America teams.
All Hail the FCS
The Football Championship Subdivision Player and Coach of Year are selected for the first time.
First Two-Way All-American
The first two-way player (Travis Hunter, Colorado) earned First Team honors on both offense (WR) and defense (DB).
Hoo-Hoo-Hoo, Hoosiers!
For the fifth time, the Walter Camp Player and Coach of the Year (Fernando Mendoza and Curt Cignetti) hail from the same school - eventual national champion Indiana University.