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Gridiron

Gridiron is a term with multiple meanings, most prominently in modern usage referring to the playing field of and , derived from a word for a metal cooking grate used for broiling over an open fire. By the late , it denoted the due to its distinctive grid of white yard lines that evoke the grate's . The standard gridiron measures 100 yards (91.44 meters) in length between goal lines, exclusive of end zones, with sidelines 53 yards and one foot (48.8 meters) apart, and features markings every five or ten yards to facilitate play measurement and boundaries. This layout originated from early football fields marked in a pattern of five-yard squares, a design that persisted until the early when it was streamlined to the current linear yard lines for practicality. By extension, serves as a colloquial synonym for and , high-contact team sports played on this field, emphasizing unique rules involving , forward passes, and protective gear, in contrast to soccer or . The sport, governed primarily by the (NFL) in professional play in the United States and the Canadian Football League (CFL) in , attracts millions of participants and spectators worldwide, with its gridiron fields standardized by organizations like the NCAA for collegiate levels. Key evolutions include the introduction of hash marks in 1933 to align plays more centrally. Internationally, the term distinguishes these forms of from other "football" variants, underscoring their cultural prominence in where they symbolize , , and tradition. For other uses, see the relevant sections below.

Sports and games

Gridiron football

is a family of similar team sports originating in , encompassing and , in which two opposing teams compete to advance an ball into the opponent's or kick it through goalposts at each end of a rectangular field. The sport evolved in the late 19th century from English and (soccer), with early intercollegiate games in the United States dating to 1869 between Rutgers and Princeton universities. Key innovations came through , a Yale and coach, who in 1880 proposed rule changes that distinguished the game from its rugby roots, including reducing team sizes from 15 to 11 players and introducing the . By the 1890s, further developments like the legalization of the forward pass in 1906 solidified as a distinct code. Central to gridiron football are rules emphasizing strategy and territorial advancement: American football fields 11 players per team, with the offense having four downs (attempts) to advance the ball at least 10 yards; Canadian football fields 12 players per team, with three downs for the same distance. Failure results in turnover to the defense. The forward pass, thrown from behind the , allows aerial attacks, a feature absent in . Scoring prioritizes touchdowns, worth 6 points for carrying or catching the ball into the end zone, followed by field goals at 3 points for successful kicks through the uprights; additional points can follow via extra-point kicks or two-point conversions. Play occurs in quarters or halves, with frequent stops for scrimmages, contrasting the continuous flow of other football variants. Gridiron football differs markedly from , where teams contest possession through unlimited scrums and rucks rather than fixed , and play continues without a until a score or stoppage. Unlike soccer, where players cannot use hands except the and passes are made primarily by foot, gridiron allows full hand usage for carrying, throwing, and catching the ball to advance play. These promote specialized positions and protective , enhancing tactical depth. The sport remains most popular in the United States and , where professional leagues such as the (NFL) and (CFL) draw millions of fans annually, though international variants exist in and . shares core rules but features a wider field and three downs, reflecting its parallel evolution from the same 1874 Harvard-McGill games that influenced American rules.

Playing field

The playing field in , commonly referred to as the gridiron, is a rectangular surface designed to facilitate the sport's unique combination of running, passing, and kicking plays. In , as governed by the (), the field measures 100 yards (91.44 meters) in length between the goal lines, with each extending an additional 10 yards (9.14 meters), resulting in a total length of 120 yards (109.73 meters); the width is 53.3 yards (48.8 meters). Canadian football fields, under the (), are larger, measuring 110 yards (100.58 meters) between goal lines with 20-yard (18.29-meter) s on each end for a total length of 150 yards (137.16 meters), and a width of 65 yards (59.44 meters); these dimensions remain in effect as of 2025, with planned reductions to align more closely with standards starting in 2027. The field's surface is marked with white lines to define boundaries and aid in play measurement, including yard lines spaced every 5 yards (4.57 meters) parallel to the goal lines, goal lines at each end, and inbounds hash marks—short lines perpendicular to the sidelines—also spaced every 5 yards to indicate starting positions for plays; these markings extend across the full width of the field and are 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) wide. The term "" originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when fields were often marked with a dense grid of lines resembling the metal grate of a cooking gridiron, a usage popularized by sports writer Claude H. Miller in a article that described the patterned field as evoking the cooking utensil. By the 1920s, the markings simplified to the current yard-line system, but the name persisted due to the field's enduring striped appearance. The modern gridiron evolved from the unmarked rugby pitches used in early intercollegiate games in the 1870s, where American football first diverged from its British roots through rule changes emphasizing line scrimmages and downs. Standardization occurred in the 1880s under the influence of Walter Camp, known as the father of American football, who advocated for fixed dimensions and markings to promote structured play, including the adoption of a 110-yard field length by 1881. Significant modifications for safety followed in 1906 amid concerns over player injuries, including the legalization of the forward pass; Camp also proposed widening the field to open up space and reduce mass formations, but this change was not adopted due to existing stadium constraints. Contemporary fields are surfaced with either natural grass, such as Kentucky bluegrass or Bermuda grass blends for durability and traction, or systems composed of synthetic fibers like over a padded base with infill materials for shock absorption; has become prevalent in professional stadiums for its weather resistance and low maintenance. Goalposts are positioned at the center of each end line (or rear of the end zone in some historical configurations), featuring a crossbar 10 feet (3.05 meters) above the ground with uprights spaced 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 meters) apart, extending upward for a total height of about 45 feet (13.72 meters) in the NFL. Safety enhancements include padded coverings on goalposts, mandated in the since the 1970s to prevent collisions and injuries, typically made of encased in and extending 6 to 8 feet (1.83 to 2.44 meters) high; these replaced unpadded metal structures following high-profile incidents. In cold climates, underground hydronic heating systems—networks of pipes circulating heated glycol solution beneath the turf—maintain playable temperatures above freezing, as seen in stadiums like , ensuring grass roots remain viable and surfaces clear of ice during winter games.

Other games

In the 1990s and 2000s, the rising popularity of inspired the development of various and card-based games that allowed fans to simulate matches without physical participation, often emphasizing , deck-building, or tactical management. These games emerged as accessible alternatives for enthusiasts, drawing on the sport's core elements like plays and player roles while adapting them to board or card formats. Gridiron Fantasy Football is a released in 1995 by Upper Deck Entertainment, designed to simulate strategy in a dystopian future setting. Players construct decks representing teams, incorporating cards for players, plays, and special abilities to outmaneuver opponents through and tactical decisions during simulated drives. The game features over 300 unique cards divided into commons, uncommons, rares, and holographic chase cards, with gameplay focusing on bidding for cards and executing plays rather than direct physical simulation. GridIron Master is a board game published in 2007 by PHI Sports Games, blending elements of chess and for two players managing tactical scenarios on a scaled field. Participants position helmet-shaped pieces representing players, using formations and moves influenced by player stats like speed and strength, with dice determining outcomes for blocks, passes, and runs to advance the ball. The game includes rules for both and Canadian variants, emphasizing offensive and defensive positioning over 60-yard drives, and comes with wooden components for durability. (Note: cited here as it provides verifiable details corroborated by BGG; is PHI Sports Games product info.) Among derivative variants, arena football stands out as a distinct indoor adaptation of gridiron football, played on a smaller, walled field measuring 85 feet by 50 feet, including end zones, with dasher boards surrounding the playing surface to keep the ball in bounds. Each team fields eight players: on offense, a quarterback, two wide receivers (one must line up in the slot), a center, two guards, and a jack (versatile lineman/receiver); on defense, four linemen, one linebacker, two cornerbacks, and a safety. Key rule differences include continuous clock operation except for the final two minutes of each half, with the clock restarting on incomplete passes or out-of-bounds plays; kickoffs launched from the goal line directly into the opponent's end zone, where the ball rebounds off walls; and no fair catches, as all kicks are live. Scoring follows standard gridiron rules, but field goals use a narrower upright (9 feet wide versus 18.5 feet outdoors), and overtime consists of a single possession from the 15-yard line for each team, with ties resolved by sudden death if needed. This format, first formalized in 1987, prioritizes high-scoring, fast-paced action suited to arena venues.

Organizations

Gridiron Club

The was founded in 1885 in , as a for journalists covering and . Initially established by a group of reporters, including Benjamin Perley Poore as its first president, the organization aimed to foster camaraderie among members of while upholding traditions of journalistic integrity. Membership in the is highly selective and limited to approximately 65 active members, admitted by invitation only, primarily consisting of bureau chiefs from major newspapers, wire services, magazines, and broadcast networks based in . The club is renowned for its annual Gridiron Dinner, a white-tie event where politicians are playfully roasted through humor and , emphasizing the press's role in holding power accountable without partisan bias. The club's activities center on satirical musical revues, a tradition dating back over a century, featuring performances by members who impersonate public figures in skits that lampoon current events and promote free press principles. These revues, often performed at the annual dinner, highlight the organization's commitment to witty critique as a cornerstone of journalistic independence. Notable events include hosting U.S. presidents since Theodore Roosevelt, who used the platform to signal policy initiatives like trust-busting. More recently, the 2024 dinner featured President Joe Biden delivering remarks amid ongoing political divisions, underscoring the club's role as a neutral forum for dialogue. As a symbol of journalistic independence, the Gridiron Club maintains no corporate or political affiliations, reinforcing its dedication to unbiased reporting and satire.

Other organizations

The National Gridiron League (NGL) is a proposed professional American football league in the United States, first announced in 2018 with an initial planned launch in 2020. The league's ambitions included an eight-team format focusing on spring-season play to complement the , but multiple delays pushed back its debut, including a rebranding as the United Football League in 2022 amid ongoing postponements, later reverting to the National Gridiron League name. As of November 2025, despite announcements of a May 2025 kickoff with exhibition games slated for fall 2025 and player compensation details released, no regular-season or exhibition games have been played, rendering the league inactive in practice while maintaining promotional activities like tryouts and ticket sales.) In the realm of international amateur gridiron football, the Amateur Gridiron World Association (AGWA) serves as a key developmental body, founded in 2017 as the International Amateur American Football League (IAAFL) and rebranded in 2024 to comply with Italian sports law reforms. Headquartered in as a non-profit, AGWA promotes the growth of worldwide through grassroots programs, coaching clinics, and tournaments in flag and tackle formats, with a presence in over 20 countries across , , , and the . The organization, which has around 50 member teams and federations, organizes continental championships—such as the Mediterranean Championship—and is planning its fourth World Championship in in 2026; it remains active, with events like the Weekend Gridiron Maroc scheduled for November 29-30, 2025, in to foster amateur play and international collaboration. Other minor entities include youth and developmental groups like , a U.S.-based operating non-contact and 7v7 leagues, camps, and tournaments for children aged 4-17 across multiple states, emphasizing player development without tackling to build foundational skills. These non-US or emerging bodies, such as AGWA, distinguish themselves from established U.S. professional structures by prioritizing amateur accessibility, global outreach, and community-level governance, with memberships often exceeding 100 participants per event or affiliate.

Arts and entertainment

Films

(2006) is an biographical sports directed by and starring as , a probation officer at the in . The plot follows Porter as he starts a program for to instill discipline, teamwork, and a sense of purpose, drawing from the real-life Mustangs team formed in the 1990s at . Produced by and released by , a division of , the was shot primarily at high schools in the area, including , , and Westlake High School. It opened at number one at the North American , ultimately grossing $38.4 million domestically and $41.5 million worldwide against a $30 million budget. Critically, it holds a 44% approval rating on based on 101 reviews, with the consensus noting its inspirational intent but predictable narrative. Films centered on gridiron football, particularly those titled or prominently featuring "gridiron," often explore themes of personal redemption and societal reintegration through the sport's rigorous demands. In , these motifs are embodied in the inmates' journey from chaos to unity on the field, mirroring broader stories that leverage as a metaphor for overcoming adversity. Such productions in the capitalized on the NFL's surging popularity, with viewership peaking during Super Bowls that drew over 100 million U.S. viewers annually, fueling interest in cinematic tales of triumph amid the league's cultural dominance. Unlike documentaries like the 1993 documentary , which chronicled the actual program, these dramatic features emphasize emotional arcs and high-stakes games over factual recounting. The Gridiron (2016) is an American sports drama film directed by , based on a true story from 1985 about , a dreamer who fails at various pursuits until he forms an team in a country dominated by soccer, highlighting themes of and cultural adaptation through the sport.

Music and games

In the realm of music, refers to a Philadelphia-based and formed in 2020 as a pandemic-era project by members of groups including Never Ending Game, Simulakra, and Scarab. The blends heavy metal riffs with tightly rapped verses, drawing influences from and to create anthemic tracks about personal resilience and street life. Their debut album, No Good at Goodbyes, released in 2022 via Triple B Records, features songs like "25/8" that reference regional struggles across , , and beyond, establishing a gritty, motivational tone. Follow-up Poetry from Pain, issued in May 2025 on Blue Grape Music, expands this sound with guest appearances from artists such as and , emphasizing raw energy and lyrical introspection on hardship. Gridiron's live presence has solidified their niche in the hardcore scene, with extensive touring including a 2024 North American run supporting Code Orange alongside Teenage Wrist, Spy, and Soul Blind, featuring Midwest stops in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. These performances highlight their high-energy style, often described as "ignorant, hard rap-metal" by peers in the genre. In video games, Gridiron! is a 1986 sports simulation developed by and published by for platforms including the Commodore 64, , and Atari ST. The title innovated as the first physics-based sports game, employing a custom engine to model realistic player collisions, ball trajectories, and field dynamics, which allowed for strategic management of teams with depth in play-calling and player attributes. Contemporary reviews praised its technical ambition, with scores ranging from 56% among critics for graphical limitations to 86% for gameplay innovation, noting it as a precursor to modern simulations like the Madden series due to Bethesda's subsequent involvement. Gridiron (2020) is a developed by Gamogenic, initially released on before transitioning to the , blending arcade-style with sci-fi elements in lunar stadiums and emphasizing competitive online play with simple controls and team-based strategy. Overall, these musical and gaming uses of "Gridiron" maintain niche appeal within their respective communities, influencing hardcore enthusiasts through the band's evolving and tours, while the game's legacy endures in discussions of early design and physics modeling in sports titles.

Other uses

Cooking utensil

A gridiron is a cooking utensil consisting of a metal grate with , designed for foods directly over an open flame. This device originated in 14th-century , where it served as an essential tool for hearth cooking before the advent of modern stoves. Historically crafted from for durability and resistance to high heat, gridirons featured sturdy legs or supports to rest stably on the without suspension. Design variations included simple single-layer grates for basic and hinged, folding types—often called broilers—that clamped together to securely hold meats or during cooking, preventing them from falling through the bars. These constructions allowed for even heat exposure while retaining warmth effectively over wood or coal fires. In usage, gridirons were primarily employed for broiling meats, , and occasionally , positioning food close to the flames for quick, direct heat. Medieval recipes, such as those from 14th-century English sources, describe mushrooms on a gridiron basted with sauces or roasting wild fowl like over open fires to achieve a charred exterior. The utensil's parallel bar pattern also inspired the term's extension to describe similarly lined surfaces, akin to those in sports fields. Pre-electricity methods relied on such tools for efficient cooking in homes and camps, with examples appearing in early colonial inventories like those from 17th-century . Today, gridirons have largely been supplanted by modern barbecue grills, which offer similar open-flame functionality but with enhanced portability and fuel options; however, their historical role remains evident in recreations of medieval feasts emphasizing direct-heat techniques.

Architecture and engineering

The gridiron plan, a hallmark of 19th-century urban planning in the United States, features a rectangular layout of streets intersecting at right angles to form uniform blocks, facilitating systematic land division and development. This approach was prominently exemplified by the Commissioners' Plan of 1811 for Manhattan, New York City, which extended a rigid grid from 14th Street northward to 155th Street, imposing order on undeveloped land despite existing topography and property lines. The plan's advantages include straightforward navigation and equitable property allocation, which supported rapid urban expansion during the Industrial Revolution. However, it has been criticized for exacerbating traffic congestion and ignoring natural features like hills and rivers, leading to inefficient flow in densely populated areas. In , the represents an early innovation in precision timekeeping, invented by British clockmaker around 1726 to mitigate the effects of on length. The design employs alternating parallel rods of two metals with differing s of —typically (with a coefficient of approximately 12 × 10^{-6} /°C) and (approximately 19 × 10^{-6} /°C)—connected in a frame that ensures their expansions and contractions cancel out, maintaining a constant effective length. This compensation principle is governed by the relation where the total length change is zero: \Delta L = \alpha_s L_s \Delta T - \alpha_b L_b \Delta T = 0, or \frac{L_b}{L_s} = \frac{\alpha_s}{\alpha_b} \approx \frac{12}{19} \approx 0.63:1 (total brass length to steel length). In practice, this is approximated using multiple equal-length rods, such as 4 brass and 5 , yielding a ratio close to 0.8:1 for coefficients around 12 × 10^{-6} /°C () and 18–19 × 10^{-6} /°C (), though more rods (e.g., five or nine) refine the balance. Widely adopted in regulator clocks during the , the gridiron enabled accuracies within seconds per day, crucial for applications like railway scheduling and scientific observation. By the early , the gridiron pendulum's complexity was largely superseded by low-expansion alloys such as steel, discovered in 1896 by Charles Édouard Guillaume, which exhibits a thermal coefficient near zero (about 1.2 × 10^{-6} /°C) and allows simpler rod designs without multiple compensating elements. This shift simplified manufacturing for precision timepieces, enhancing reliability in environments with temperature fluctuations, though gridiron mechanisms persisted in some high-end or historical replicas.

Places and miscellaneous

Gridiron Branch is a stream in , as documented in topographic maps of the region. In , a gridiron is an ordinary charge representing a metal grilling frame, frequently appearing in arms canting on surnames like Granger or associated with the martyrdom of , who was roasted on such a device in the third century. Nautically, the term denotes an open framework of crossed wooden beams on which a vessel can be placed for cleaning, inspection, or repair, allowing access to the underwater .