NFL Wider Field

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Matt-MI

I think most of the new NFL stadiums would be hard pressed to give up 35' from the sidelines

That's why this didn't happen a century ago. The Intercollegiate Football Rules Committee was looking at ways to open up the game, and a leading proposal (promoted by Walter Camp, among others) was to widen the field. However, the cement had just been poured for what became Harvard's Soldier Field, which didn't have any more room, so it didn't pass. Instead we got the forward pass.