William Heffelfinger becomes the first professional American football player on record, participating in his first paid game for the Allegheny Athletic Association.
William Walter "Pudge" Heffelfinger (December 20, 1867 – April 2, 1954), also spelled Hafelfinger, was an American football player and coach. He is considered the first athlete to play American football professionally, having been paid to play in 1892.