Culture and Society

How are American footballs made?
Answered by Discovery Channel
  • Discovery Channel

    Discovery Channel

  1. Official National Football League (NFL) footballs are made by hand at a company called Wilson Sporting Goods Co. They're oblong spheres, 11 to 11.5 inches (27.9 to 29.2 centimeters) long and weighing between 14 and 15 ounces (397 to 425 grams). Inside each football is an inflated polyurethane bladder covered with cowhide and laced with gridcord, or vinyl-covered cotton thread. Wilson adds a thick synthetic lining to protect the bladder, which gives the football its distinct, elongated shape. A valve is on the outside of the ball so you can pump air more easily into the ball's bladder.

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