Draft:Uprights

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File:Arthur Coglizer of Missouri kicks field goal, Oct. 4, 1924.jpg

File:2008-1018-002-WSUMartinStadiumpan uprights.JPG in 2008]]

Until 1967, the NFL had used "H" shaped uprights, however, after the University of Miami came out with the "slingshot" uprights in 1966, the NFL changed it the year after to the "slingshot" uprights.{{Cite web |last=Shuck |first=Barry |date=2022-06-14 |title=Geneology of American Football: Evolution of goal posts Part 1 |url=https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2022/6/14/23147890/geneology-of-american-football-evolution-of-goal-posts-part-1 |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Dawgs By Nature |language=en}}

In 1974, the NFL moved the uprights back to the back of the endzone (10 yards). This was to prevent injuries, as was common at the time.{{Cite web |title=NFL 100 |url=https://www.nfl.com/100/originals/100-greatest/game-changers-58 |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}

In 1976, the NFL added pennants measuring {{convert|2|in|cm|abbr=on}} x {{convert|36|in|cm|abbr=on}} atop the uprights to aid kickers in judging wind speed and direction; the size was later expanded to {{convert|4|in|cm|abbr=on}} x {{convert|42|in|cm|abbr=on}}.Gonsalves, p. 31

In 2008, the NFL changed a rule to allow field goal and extra point attempts that hit the uprights or crossbar to be reviewed. This was due to a 2007 game where the Cleveland Browns played the Baltimore Ravens. Kicker Phil Dawson attempted a 51 yard field goal which hit the upright and was originally ruled no good but was changed afterwards due to it going through but bouncing out after.{{cite web | title=Proposal to reseed playoff teams withdrawn by owners | website=NFL.com | date=2008-04-02 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/proposal-to-reseed-playoff-teams-withdrawn-by-owners-09000d5d80789b13 | access-date=2024-12-24}}

In 2012, the uprights were made taller when former Baltimore Ravens placekicker Justin Tucker kicked a controversial game winning 27 yard field goal vs. the New England Patriots, this was because the ball sailed directly over the top of the upright but it was ruled "good".{{Cite news |last=Jeff Zrebiec and — Baltimore Sun |title=Justin Tucker’s game-winning field goal sends Baltimore Ravens over New England Patriots, 31-30 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2012/09/24/2c9b5a62-05fb-11e2-afff-d6c7f20a83bf_story.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20121123150040/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2012/09/24/2c9b5a62-05fb-11e2-afff-d6c7f20a83bf_story.html |archive-date=2012-11-23 |access-date=2025-05-19 |work=Washington Post |language=EN}}

{{reflist}}

• https://www.8newsnow.com/sports/the-big-game/why-the-nfl-goal-posts-arent-where-they-used-to-be/amp/
• https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/06/21/history-nfl-goal-posts
• https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/07/18/uprights-5-feet-field-goals-crossbar-bill-belichick-patriots-justin-tucker-rule-ravens/12851531/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/sports/football/nfl-scrambles-to-install-taller-uprights-after-rule-change.html
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/how-the-football-field-was-designed-from-hash-marks-to-goal-posts-48192086/
• https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/01/31/superbowl-field-goal-posts-sportsfield-specialties/5084911/

• https://www.google.com/books/edition/Placekicking_in_the_NFL/tfSmAgAAQBAJ?hl=en (Chapter 3: The Goal Posts — p. 25–32)
• https://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-nfl-ask-farmer-20181222-story.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2209319/2020/11/20/tearing-down-goal-posts/

• https://www.bigblueview.com/2022/6/5/23147953/genealogy-of-american-football-evolution-of-goal-posts
• https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2022/6/14/23147890/geneology-of-american-football-evolution-of-goal-posts-part-1