Combat football

Combat football is a full-contact team sport similar to other football games such as rugby, but is distinguished by its emphasis on violence. The object of the game is to get the ball into the opposing team's goal through "any means short of an actionable felony". It was invented by South Korean border guards at the DMZ to keep soldiers sharp in peacetime, and was subsequently adopted by General Harry W. Brooks, Jr., commander of the United States Army, Tropic Lightning division. While the men of the Schofield Barracks were known to regularly play the game, very little information about the sport has appeared since a 1975 Sports Illustrated article.

Combat football was played by troops of the Second Infantry division stationed in the Republic of Korea near the DMZ from 1973 till approximately 1976. The game did not have any rules and injuries were common. Players did not wear any protective gear nor were there any time-outs called. Anything to win the game was legal except weapons. 1st BDE East camp Casey Korea won the championship in fall 1975. The game was adopted by General Hank "Gunfigher" Emerson, commanding officer of the 2nd Infantry Division.

References

    • Johnston, Richard W. (21 July 1975). "New Army Game". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2011-02-10.


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