Page "Forward pass" Paragraph 17

The final meeting of the Rules Committee tasked with reshaping the game was held on April 6, 1906, at which time the forward pass officially became a legal play.

The New York Times reported in September 1906 on the rationale for the changes: " The main efforts of the football reformers have been to ' open up the game '— that is to provide for the natural elimination of the so-called mass plays and bring about a game in which speed and real skill shall supersede so far as possible mere brute strength and force of weight.

" However the Times also reflected widespread skepticism as to whether the forward pass could be effectively integrated into the game: " There has been no team that has proved that the forward pass is anything but a doubtful, dangerous play to be used only in the last extremity.

" The forward pass was not allowed in Canadian football until 1929.