Football came from English sports such as rugby and soccer and became popular in America in the late 1800s. Football back then did not have pads or any set of rules, so the game was usually a violent, unorganized game. A coach named Walter Camp helped make the first rules for American football. By the early 1900s football had grown in both popularity and safety. College teams attracted national following, and some young local pro teams were formed. With new ways of doing things such as the forward pass,the football game on the field slowly became more like the game played today.
Safety equipment was rare. Only used by a few players, this nose protector was strapped around the head. A player held it in place by gripping his teeth.
As you can see there wasn't much protection when football first began.