A football trivia question I got wrong today...do you know?

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Which one of the following used to be worth more than a touchdown in football?

- A Touchback
- A Field goal
- An Interception
- A Safety

I'll reveal the answer after some guesses are made

[MightyGiants]

I am going to reason that it's either a touchback or a safety.   My thinking is that the safety must have been awarded the touchdown to the opposing team, and the extra point was automatically tacked on (so 7 points vs 6)

[Just_jimmy]

A field goal.

Used to be 5 points and a touchdown 4. Then they both became 5, then 6 and 3.

I think that's correct anyway.

Sent from my SM-S931B using Tapatalk

[Jolly Blue Giant]

A field goal.

Used to be 5 points and a touchdown 4. Then they both became 5, then 6 and 3.

I think that's correct anyway.

Sent from my SM-S931B using Tapatalk

Ding, ding, ding

"Answer: In the early days of football, the scoring system was quite different from today. When the first official scoring system was introduced in 1883, a field goal was worth more than a touchdown. At that time, a touchdown counted for just 2 points, while the extra point kick after a touchdown was worth 4 points, and a field goal was worth 5 points. Over time, as the game evolved, the scoring system was adjusted. By 1912, the value of a touchdown was increased to 6 points, and the field goal was reduced to 3 points, creating the system that remains in place today."

I guess back in the old days, kicking a football was a very difficult thing to do. It was easier to just run the football past the goal line...lol

BTW, I guessed "touchback"

[MightyGiants]

@Jolly Blue Giant made me curious as to way a FG was worth more.  Here is Google AI's explanation:

Search Labs | AI Overview

In early football, field goals (kicks through the goalposts) were initially worth more points (5) than touchdowns (4), which evolved from rugby's scoring system where kicking a goal was the primary way to score.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Rugby Influence:
American football, in its early stages, was heavily influenced by rugby, where kicking a goal (from the field or after a try) was the main way to score.
Initial Scoring System:
In the early 1880s, a field goal (a kick through the goalposts) was worth 5 points, while a touchdown was worth 4 points.
Shifting Perspectives:
Over time, the game's emphasis shifted, and the value of touchdowns increased, while the value of field goals decreased.
Evolution of Scoring:
In 1898, touchdowns were increased to 5 points, making them equal in value to field goals.
By 1904, field goals were reduced to 4 points.
The modern point values (6 for a touchdown, 3 for a field goal) weren't reached until 1912.
The "Try" and Extra Point:
In rugby, a "try" (touchdown) was followed by a "try for goal" (kick for extra points), which is similar to the current American football extra point or PAT (point after touchdown).
Shifting Emphasis:
The value of the try (touchdown) and the kick after were eventually adjusted, with the touchdown becoming more important as a way to score, and the kick after becoming a way to add an extra point.