History of Football Essay

The history of football is interesting as well as exciting, from the first forms of the game ever played, to the multi million dollar organizations of today. The game continues to evolve and change with the times. Football is a sport that evolved from many different games. Football is mainly known as a different form of rugby or soccer, but there is more to the origin of the game than just those two sports. Football games were played around the world before the game was actually called football. † Football is believed to have descended from a Greek game called Harpaston † (Source C). The rules in Harpaston were not very strict. Running, kicking, or passing the ball across the goal line could earn points. † It is believed that the Chinese played some form of soccer around 500 A. D† (Source M). The earliest soccer games in England consisted of people running around on a field kicking a skull. This skull kicking game continued until someone had the idea to use an inflated cow bladder, which allowed for the ball to be kicked greater distances and was much easier on the foot of the participants. In the twelfth century, the king of England outlawed the game of â€Å"futeball† because it took away from the English tradition of archery. The game was considered illegal for four hundred years. Once it was allowed to resume, it was called soccer. Another ancestor of football is the Irish game of Gaelic rugby. This game basically consisted of teams trying to advance the ball across the goal line, much like Greek Harpaston. Once the game made it across the Atlantic to America it started to take on characteristics of the game we now call football today. When football crossed the Atlantic Ocean and came to America it would undergo a major change. There were many different forms of the game in America, Princeton University students played a game called ? Ballown’ in the 1920s, which was the earliest attempt at modern football. Harvard University students would always play a football-like game on the first Monday of the new school year, it became known as ? Bloody Monday’. â€Å"But, the first official game took place on November 9th 1869 between Princeton University and Rutgers University. Both teams had twenty-five players, which led to mass confusion and chaos, also the goal posts were only twenty-five yards  apart, causing a very small field† (Source J). It was obvious that the sport needed some new rules and Mr. Walter Camp was the man to develop them. Walter Camp was a star player and later a coach at his alma mater, Yale University. Walter Camp contributed to the definition of modern-day football more than anyone; he helped change the game from its form of rugby style to the modern game it is today. † Walter Camp is known as the father of American football† (Source J). As the game grew in popularity more people began playing it, but the game was considered too brutal. † Before 1905 many injuries and eighteen deaths had been reported from the brutal mass plays, President Roosevelt asked the schools to set rules to save the game from extinction† (Source C). In response to the Presidents plea, representatives from several different schools got together to set some rules, which would forever change the game. â€Å"The schools decided that a touchdown should be worth more, so in 1898 it was changed from four to five points, and eventually changed from five to six. While on the other hand the field goal was dropped from five points to four, and then down to three† (Source I). Another problem with the game is that it was very boring. To help end this boredom Walter Camp came up with the idea of first downs. With this rule, teams must gain ten yards in four attempts or the ball is turned over. To help protect players’ safety, formations like the flying V and wedge were made illegal. Probably the most important rule change was the legalization of the forward pass. To accommodate for this new rule, colleges also created an end zone ten yards deep to allow the ball to be caught in safely. The first professional games took place between athletic clubs. The first player to play for money was William W. â€Å"Pudge† Heffelinger. â€Å"Heffelinger played at Yale University where he made the Walter Camp All American team for three straight years. Heffelinger was paid five hundred dollars to play a game for the Allegheny Athletic Association of Pittsburgh. Heffelinger is known as the first professional football player† (Source H). The first professional to sign a contract was Grant Dilbert who signed with the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. Soon after this, many teams started paying money for the best players. â€Å"On September 17 1920 representatives met to form the American Professional Football Association (APFA)† (Source H). In 1922 the APFA was renamed the National Football League (NFL). During this time, any town that could fund the money was forming a football team, even two Philadelphia baseball teams established professional football teams. During this time, professional football was not as popular as college football. Due to betting and recruiting scandals, Americans were not as interested in the NFL as they were in the collegiate games. The league reached an all time low in 1932 when it had a membership of eight teams. However, over time the formation of legendary teams like the Decatur Staleys, later renamed the Chicago Bears, and the small town Green Bay Packers, and also due to the emergence of heroic players, this new league would win over the hearts of American football fans. One of the first famous football players was Jim Thorpe. Thorpe, an Indian born in Oklahoma, would become a great college player, as well as a great professional player. â€Å"Jim Thorpe signed his first professional contract with the Canton Bulldogs at a price of two hundred fifty a game† (Source H). Although he is considered one of the great players it is believed that Jim did not play his hardest all the time, he played hard only when he wanted to. He also used shoulder pads with a layer of sheet metal under them, so he could hit opposing players even harder. Jim was not just a great football player he was an Olympian as well, winning several medals in the Olympics. Harold â€Å"Red† Grange was a legendary college player nicknamed, ? The Galloping Ghost’. Red helped college fans appreciate the professional game, he signed his first professional contract ten days after his college career had ended. â€Å"Red Grange made his professional debut on Thanksgiving day before a crowd of over 10,000 fans, before his arrival in professional football the crowds were usually measured in the hundreds†(Source H). Sammy Baugh and Otto Graham reinvented the passing game of football. They were considered the first gunslingers of football. All of these players helped revolutionize the game. Growing in popularity, the game of football was about to take some huge  steps. â€Å"In 1932 the first indoor game was played due to weather, the game was played on an eighty yard field† (Source J). During the Great Depression the NFL thrived, giving Americans something to take their minds off of the hard times. During World War II younger players enlisted so older players were drafted into the league. After the war, the popularity of the NFL grew. â€Å"In 1939 the National Broadcasting Corporation was the first station to televise an NFL game between the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the Philadelphia Eagles† (Source F). In 1951 a game between the St. Louis Rams and the Cleveland Browns was the first to be broadcast from coast to coast. As the professional game grew in popularity it expanded as well. More teams were added while others were dropped. In 1946 when football was very popular in the United States, the American Football League (AFL) was formed. The AFL and NFL would later combine to form what is now known as today’s National Football League. Many people argued about which league was stronger, the American League or the National Football League. Many people believed the NFL was stronger, and others thought the AFL was more powerful. To find out which conference was stronger the first Super Bowl was staged. â€Å"In 1967 the first Super Bowl featured the NFL’s Green Bay Packers playing against the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs† (Source F). The game was dominated by the Green Bay Packers, making them the first Super Bowl champions. The start of the Super Bowls would later lead to the merger of the NFL and the AFL to form the current consolidated National Football League. Since the first collegiate game between Princeton and Rutgers, football has changed in very many different ways. â€Å"Of the thirteen teams in the league in 1920 only the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals, now the Arizona Cardinals, remain. There have been many classic and memorable moments in professional football history, like Chuck Bednarik’s ferocious hit on Frank Gifford, as seen on the cover of this report, John Elway’s leadership of the Denver Broncos on â€Å"The Drive†, the 1972 Miami Dolphins undefeated season, and Joe Montana’s victory-clinching pass to Dwight Clark, which is simply known as â€Å"The Catch†. The game of football has a rich history. It has evolved in many different ways but continues to hold onto the tradition and basic format it was built upon. The game will continue to grow and change with the times but will always be known as America’s greatest game. Source A: â€Å"A Brief History of The Game† www. hornetfootball. org/documents/football-history. htm Source B: â€Å"American Football History† wiwi. essortment. com/americanfootball_rwff. htm 2002 Pagewire Source C: Buckley James. America’s Greatest Game. New York. Hyperian Books For Children. 1998. Source D: â€Å"Football History-Just What Sport are We Talking About Anyway? † www. sportsknowhow. com/football/history/football-history. shtml. 2004 A Website of Internet Marketing Unlimited Source E: â€Å"History of Football† http://inventors/about/com/ad/fstartinventions/a/historyfootball/htm. 2007 New York Times Company Source F: â€Å"History of The Sport† www. usafootball. com/about-us/history-of-the-sport/. 2006 USA Football Source G: â€Å"History† www. profootballhoffestival. com/festival/history/asp 2005 Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival Source H: LaBlanc, L. Michael. Professional Sports Teams Histories. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Inc. 1994 Source I: â€Å"NFL History† www. NFL. com/history. 2007 NFL Enterprises LLC Source J: Riffenburgh, Beau. The Official History of Pro Football. New York: Crescent Books, 1990 Source K: â€Å"Rules And Information†. www. football. com/rulesabc/origins. shtml#begin. 2003 Football. com Source L: The First Fifty Years: New York: Simon & Schuster Inc. 1969. Source M: Tuttle, Dennis. The Composite Guide to Football. Philadelphia. Chelsea House Publishers Source N: Wallace, Bill. Nelson’s Encyclopedia of Pro Football. New York: William N. Wallace 1969.

Genetically Modified Organism and Monsanto

  Does Monsanto maintain an ethical culture that can effectively respond to various stakeholders? Monsanto Company is trying to maintain an ethical culture with various stakeholders. The company used the concept of Social Responsibility and Business Ethics to create a reputation value to various stakeholders. For instance, Monsanto gave fifteen million dollars to Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to do crop research in Africa. Also, the fund helped Brazilian children to maintain good health and basic hygiene. Additionally, Monsanto supported students who want to study agriculture.However, Monsanto Company’s regulation had become financial burden to many farmers. Farmers who buy seeds from Monsanto could not saved for future plant. Otherwise, Farmers will have to pay for Monsanto when they find out. Furthermore, Monsanto produced products that involved in the risk of animals and human health. Some of Monsanto’s actions should considered moral temptation. #2. Compare the benefits of growing GMO seeds for crops with the potential negative consequences of using them. As the GM seeds introduced to the United States and across the globe since 1990, many farmers stopped complaining failure of crops.This had helped farmers spent little expenses, but gain as triple profits. Farmers who using GM seeds applauded the existence of Monsanto Company, because with the same acre of land, they are able to double the crops. Thus, as far as the farmers are making profits, they will continue buying the GM Seeds. For this reason, there is a major concerned for consumer that the GM seeds could affect human and animals’ health for using it. However, the FDA clarified that â€Å"biotech crops are safe to use†, but critics’ doubt about the short-term period of GM seeds which unable to determined the long-term effects.3. How should Monsanto manage the potential harm to plant and animal life from using product such as Roundup? Monsanto Officials wan ted to calm the situation. They clarified to the critics that EPA has been studies and approved for Roundup Ready. Environment and human health won’t get effective. The company also defends that even though â€Å"1% of glyphosate contaminate ground water, it is soluble and will not have much effect on aquatic species† (P. 307). Reference Ferrell, O. C. , Fraedrick, J. , Ferrell, L. , (2008), Business Ethics: Ethical decision making and cases. Boston, MA: Houghton Miffin Company

Data management in cloud environments Thesis Proposal

Data management in cloud environments - Thesis Proposal Example There has been research conducted in this particular field which forms the framework for future research study. However the major reason behind selecting such research topic is that it would help to gain sufficient knowledge regarding multiple ways to store data in cloud environment. This study would even outline the challenges which are witnessed by the data stores and the appropriate ways through which most of such challenges are eliminated from the system. It can be stated that this research study deals with the intricacies which are associated with such data management system. The study would even be supported by some practical examples in order that audience gain insights in terms of internal functioning of cloud computing. In the past few years the increasing trend of computational power has also overwhelmed the data flow. It can be stated that recent advances that are associated with web technology has enabled users to store content of various sizes which is considered to be data management in cloud environment. There has been a paradigm shift in mechanism of large scale data processing and computing infrastructure. Cloud computing sets forth the provision for such computing infrastructure. This research study would aim at clearly distinguishing the various data management techniques in cloud environment. The main aim of the study can be further subdivided into identifying different data storage engines both SQL as well as noSQL. This study would not only focus on determining different data engines but would even encompass their respective pros and cons, performance issues and scalability between such data management engines. The research problem statement would be – â€Å"Identification of d ifferent data storage engines in cloud environment and outlining performance and scalability between these data management types.† This problem statement or research question would be addressed throughout the analysis. The major objective of the

Neural Networks for handwriting recognition Essay

Neural Networks for handwriting recognition - Essay Example In fact, a large number of researches have forecasted that in future billions of mobile and wireless systems will integrate handwriting recognition facilities. However, it is straightforward and uncomplicated to recognize handwriting when it appears in the form of isolated handwritten symbols as compared to un-segmented linked handwriting (with unidentified initial stages and ends of particular letters). Though, whatever the case is, we need excellent and high speed algorithmic capabilities (Ciresan et al., 2012; Schmidhuber, 2010). In addition, there are many scenarios where conventional techniques of computer vision and digital machine learning are not able to replace human capabilities, for example identification of traffic signs and handwritten digits. ... Additionally, simply winner neurons are qualified. In fact, a large number of deep neural columns turn out to be specialized on inputs preprocessed in diverse means; their forecasts are averaged. In this scenario, graphics cards should facilitate speedy training (Ciresan et al., 2012; Schmidhuber, 2010). Without a doubt, present automatic handwriting recognition tools and algorithms are not bad at learning to distinguish handwritten aspects and characters. However, convolutional neural Networks (CNNs) are believed to be highly appropriate and supportive architectures for handwriting recognition based systems. In this scenario, current convolutional neural networks pay particular attention to a wide variety of issues especially that relate to computer vision such as detection of natural images, traffic signs image segmentation, identification of 3D objects and image denoising. Additionally, CNN handwriting recognition techniques and architectures as well appear to offer a large number of advantages to unsupervised learning techniques and algorithms implemented to image data. In this scenario, several researchers have demonstrated an error rate of 0.4 percent of the worldwide MNIST (The MNIST database of handwritten digits, available from this page, has a training set of 60,000 examples, and a test set of 10,000 examples. It is a subset of a larger set available from NIST. The digits have been size-normalized and centered in a fixed-size image) handwritten character based recognition dataset, with a reasonably straightforward Convolutional Neural Networks, in addition to elastic training image twists to increase the training data size. However, this handwriting recognition error rate further decreased to 0.35 percent in the 2010,

ART Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

ART - Essay Example This creates a horizontal line that shows stability. On the other hand, the big skull in the middle of the artwork does not only serve as the focus of the piece but it also adds to the height of the structure, giving a sense of balance to the length in proportion to the height. Most of the figures are made from bronze, painted with patina and pigment to create a convincingly natural look especially when seen from afar. The skull as the focal point is not only positioned at the center of the figure but is also exaggerated in size that it is made bigger than the other figures. Comparing the skull to the size of the beheaded red figure or the lion for instance, their sizes are not proportionate to each other although the figures are at almost the same distance from the viewer. This perhaps symbolizes the importance of the skull which probably portrays the farmer or caretaker of the wheat field. The skull looks scary with its eyes colored dark compounded by the dark inscribed lines and d ark disfigured nose in contrast to the lighter shade of its larger part. Such inscribed lines are also vertical and larger in size, giving a more defined contrast to the finer horizontal lines which have high key, showing off white to middle values. The skin on the skull resembles that of a mummified cadaver which is dry and brittle. On the right side of the skull, from the viewer’s point of view, is a dead tree with several branches that makes it look old and beautiful. The branches moving towards different directions add to the beauty of the artwork in general because of the contrast in lines that they depict. Just beside the tree is a polychromatic biomorphic figure of a parrot. The juxtaposition of the skull, tree and bird gives a contrast between death and life. The skull and the dead tree reflect death with their appearances but the color of the bird exudes life. Speaking of colors, the artist used the warm primary colors such as red and yellow as well as the cool prima ry color, blue. Secondary colors such as warm orange and cool green are also used. These contrast the lifeless and dull colors of other figures like the skull and tree. Moreover, the parrot is positioned in such a way that it implies life and movement. The position of its body suggests that it is turned away from the skull but with its head twisted to its side to appear like it is looking at the skull; the bird gives the appearance that it is moving. Towards the right side of the bird is a green amorphous figure holding a yellow pole, another contrasting image using a warm primary color against a cool secondary color. Further on the right side is an anthill with a large egg on top. The amorphous anthill again represents another contrasting element of the artwork considering the its uncertain shape to the spherical shape of the egg. Moreover, the anthill is created in such a manner that has the simulated texture of soil while the egg has an implied texture of the smooth shell of an e gg. Nevertheless, both the anthill and egg are not really monochromatic as they seem at first glance but they actually have different hues which could be noticeable upon careful inspection. On the left side of the focal point are an uncertain image in patina, a mask and a lion. The three images seem to have been deliberately placed where they are to

The Passion of the Christ Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Passion of the Christ - Essay Example There are various characters that make a huge impact on the development of the plot and the overall message of the film; first is Jesus who is introduced as a representation of righteousness, holiness and sacrifice throughout the film, second is Peter, a loyal disciple who fights for Jesus at Gethsemane but later betrays him due to the fear of death. Another character is Judas who is a representation of betrayal; he was a disciple of Jesus but he betrayed him to the Chief Priest and the Pharisees for thirty pieces of silver. Another prominent character is John, the disciple, Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, both who stood by Jesus through the whole process of capture and crucifixion, a show of unconditional love. Pontius Pilate, Herod Caiaphas and the chief priests are represented as figures of authority with Pilate and Herod representing political authority and Caiaphas representing the Jewish religion, which is depicted as loathing Jesus for blasphemy (The Passion of th e Christ, 2004). Other characters who assist in developing the theme of the movie are Simon of Cyrene who carries Jesus’ cross, Veronica, the woman who wipes Jesus’ face with her cloth on the road to Calvary, the Roman soldiers that depict the system as being crude and violent towards criminals, and the veiled woman who represents Satan (death) – she appears every time death is imminent. Pilate’s wife is also a key character who influences Pilate’s decision, and she later offers Mary and Mary Magdalene a piece of cloth to wipe Jesus blood from the place where he is chastised. Throughout the film, we see betrayal, redemption, hatred, violence and absolute submission; however, some of the most evident aspects of eucharistic are those of love, hope, faith, and forgiveness.

The Strategies Used By Fitness First To Build and Sustain Competitive Essay

The Strategies Used By Fitness First To Build and Sustain Competitive Advantage - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that established in 1993, Fitness First has grown significantly through pricing strategies that outperform or are generically more attractive to consumers both price-sensitive and those looking for more value for their money. Whilst other competition position on quality, reputation or innovation, Fitness First has gained positive ground by appealing to the budgetary needs of its many target consumers. Fitness First maintains many weaknesses, most of which are related to marketing and promotional development, lack of a cohesive organizational culture, and an inability to remove supplier and buyer power in the market. Fitness First maintained losses in 2010 and 2011, indicating a problem with operational costs that continue to outpace revenue production. As such, in this highly competitive industry, marketing becomes a critical function for the company if it is to be sustainable into the future. Despite these weaknesses, strengths associated wi th proper celebrity endorsements and effective diversification of existing products and services to extend the life cycle of its offerings tend to offset some of the aforementioned weaknesses. It is recommended that Fitness First conduct ample market research to align service and product with changing consumer needs, work to build a more mission-focused organizational culture, and improve marketing prowess with more investment in promotion as a key competitive strategy (brand-building emphasis). Fitness First was launched in 1993 as a single, stand-alone gym in Bournemouth. Through a series of investments, acquisitions, and business model improvements, Fitness First has grown quickly to become one of the largest health club centers in the world. The privately-owned company now boasts over one million members in over 400 Fitness First clubs spread across the globe.

Migration Within Europe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Migration Within Europe - Essay Example Going and earning in these countries also helps them to save more money during these hard economic times. It is hard to earn and save in countries like Greece where the basic commodities are only getting more expensive every year. It has become very hard to afford even the most basic necessities in countries like Greece and Spain and people are migrating so that they could earn and save and send some money back to their families. Low standard of living has been another cause of migrating. People spend most of their time in work and even after doing that they do not get the chance to spend on commodities that please them. Leisure products and services are becoming expensive in different parts of Europe and the UK is no exception to that. The cost of watching the favorite sports in England, which is football, is nearly four times more than watching football or any other sports in Germany. Even after earning and saving people in England are not being able to spend money on products and services they desire. The lack of standard in living is forcing people to move from places in Europe where they cannot afford to spend money on leisure activities to other places like Germany where it is much easier to afford time in leisure activities. One other advantage of moving to a country like Germany is that it allows people to spend time on leisure activities. People are allowed to spend as much time as they want on leisure activities as the government believes that peace of mind is as important as putting time for work.

Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 27

Case Study - Essay Example The company has identified the prom from the statistics that it has collected, it will be therefore prudent to seek solution to this problem. The major objective of using AI is that it accentuates the positive, rather than seeking for a problem to fix it. Is main objective is to pursue and pinpoint the distinctive qualities and exceptional strengths of an organization, which members can build on to improve performance. The AI process consists of four steps, discovery, dreaming, design and destiny. In regard to Discovery the Parkway Nursing Care leaders should seek to identify what they think are the organizations strength. The employees of Parkway Nursing Care will give the occasions of when they felt that they are satisfied in their jobs. In the dreaming stage is supposed to make employees to use the information from discovery phase to speculate on possible futures. The design will be aimed to make the employees of Parkway Nursing Care to find a common vision on how the organization will look like in the future and agree on the unique qualities. On the fourth phase the employees will aim to fulfill their dream by typically writing actions plan and implementing their strategies. Parkway Nursing Care will face some resistance when they are implementing this phases of AI, the most common form of resistance to change will be because of fear of unknown. Resistance to change will also appear to be very selective since each employee would want a change that benefits them. There employees are not engaging in their respective jobs as required, this implies that the board of directors have to re-energize the workforce. The employees have to make believe that it is very meaningful for them to engage in their job. To reenergize the work force the employees’ job characteristics has to be enhanced as well as the make sure that the resources at Parkway Nursing Care are sufficient. This will ensure that the workers are reenergized and the work is done