Knute Rockne rose to prominence in 1913 as an end and chemistry student for the University of Notre Dame , then a largely unknown Midwestern Catholic school . Rockne returned to coach the team in 1918 , and devised the powerful Notre Dame Box offense , based on Warner 's single wing . He is credited with being the first major coach to emphasize offense over defense . Rockne is also credited with popularizing and perfecting the forward pass , a seldom used play at the time . Rather than simply a regional team , Rockne 's " Fighting Irish " became famous for barnstorming and played any team at any location . It was during Rockne 's tenure that the annual Notre Dame-University of Southern California rivalry began . He led his team to an impressive 105 – 12 – 5 record before his premature death in a plane crash in 1931 . He was so famous at that point that his funeral was broadcast nationally on radio . His biography at the College Football Hall of Fame calls him " without question , American football 's most-renowned coach . " In the early 20th century , football began to catch on in the general population of the United States and was the subject of intense competition and rivalry , albeit of a localized nature . Although payments to players were considered unsporting and dishonorable at the time , a Pittsburgh area club , the Allegheny Athletic Association , of the unofficial western Pennsylvania football circuit , surreptitiously hired former Yale All-American guard William " Pudge " Heffelfinger . On November 12 , 1892 , Heffelfinger became the first known professional football player . He was paid $ 500 to play in a game against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club . Heffelfinger picked up a Pittsburgh fumble and ran 35 yards for a touchdown , winning the game 4 – 0 for Allegheny . Although observers held suspicions , the payment remained a secret for years
plane crash
1931 Transcontinental & Western Air Fokker F-10 crash
Early history of American football