The Best Footballs

Wilson Enforcer Football

Place 'n' Punt

This football's grip and accessories will give you a sensational spiral and let you hit the gridiron the second it's unboxed.

Best Overall

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Wilson is one of the oldest and most revered sports manufacturers for American football products and accessories. The Enforcer football package is further proof of their stellar reputation. More-than-reasonably-priced, this package touts a ball that’s an all-weather wonder. While higher-end products in this category are made of leather, Wilson’s composite material is tough and highly water-resistant — even by the company’s own standards. If you don’t want to destroy your game balls on the practice field or you live in a particularly wet climate, the Enforcer won’t get soggy or have its stitching unravel when the game heats up.

Pros:

• Feels just like real leather
• Perfect for practicing punts or field goal kicks

Cons:

• It won’t stand up to large dogs as a fetch toy

Franklin Sports Grip-Rite Football

Catch Confidently

Franklin's Grip-Rite football is the preferred pick for junior teams, backyard practices, and beach getaways alike.

Runner Up

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Franklin Sports’ Grip-Rite football is a sight for sore eyes if you want something a little more attractive than the traditional pigskin look. This ball is an official junior size, meaning it’s your go-to choice for ages 10-12 in Pop Warner leagues around the country. Thanks to its seamless design and fully waterproof cover, the Grip-Rite rubber build can take a beating year after year with little signs of wear. Whether you’re having a catch out in the street or organizing a full-sized scrimmage, you can trust this one to stand up to rough surfaces and even rougher players.

Pros:

• Available in black, blue, red, white, and more
• Can be purchased in bulk with a pump or as a single unit
• Amazing value for the price

Cons:

• The ball may arrive only partially inflated

GlowCity Light Up Football

Monday Night Lights

If the floodlights get cut but the show must go on, reach for GlowCity's football for superior control all night long.

Best for Kids

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Not all games are championship matches, and not every football needs to be built for one. GlowCity’s light-up football may not be landing itself in regulated events anytime soon (unless they’re in a cave), but it will land in your arms easier than any other ball once the sun goes down on your game of catch. GlowCity’s brilliant ball uses an intense LED attached to a string of included batteries to light up the night with every throw. The ball works by sensing touch, and it will stay lit for up to thirty seconds after it last senses movement, giving you consistent visibility when you need it. Despite the lights, this ball’s grip is sturdy and won’t go deflated at nighttime tailgates, either.

Pros:

• It’s fairly easy to replace the battery
• Excellent for nighttime beach excursions or outdoor gatherings

Cons:

• The ball is much harder than other comparable balls

Baden Autograph Football

Make Moves and Memories

This football from Baden is a great purchase for collectors, but it can do its duty on the field, too.

Best for Collectors

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Commemorating great personal coaches or our heroes in the big leagues is best done with permanent marker and pigskin — specifically with Baden’s Autograph football. To start, while this fantastic football may be for display, the premium synthetic leather and thick double-laced design make it great for a casual catch before the signing, too. Two of the ball’s four panels are dyed white, boasting plenty of room for the whole team’s signatures at the end of a successful campaign. When you’re ready to make memories, pick up Baden’s football, drop your signature, and give this egg-shaped time capsule a couple of minutes to dry.

Pros:

• A great idea addition for pre-season training camps
• High-quality stitching throughout

Cons:

• No raised pebble construction

Wilson “The Duke” Official NFL Football

As Real As It Gets

If you will settle for nothing but the best when it comes to display or play, you've got to go with the Duke.

Most Authentic

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When it comes to the professional game, no footballs are more iconic than Wilson’s Official NFL game ball. While there are some “secret spices” that go into the actual balls used by the pros, The Duke is about as close as you’ll get to the big game without catching an errant pass in the stadium. This beast sports leather supplied by one of the oldest American tanneries that has specialized in sports equipment for over a century. Functionally, this type of leather won’t get slippery like synthetics in damp conditions, giving you the perfect spiral in every game, rain or shine.

Pros:

• Made in the USA
• Official-sized for ages 14+
• Features NFL logo and commissioner’s signature

Cons:

• Will scratch easily on asphalt or cement

Frequently Asked Questions

Who created American football?

Unlike basketball, which has a well-documented founding event and history, American football’s origins are somewhat murky. It’s agreed that American football is a combination of English association football and rugby because of the original shape of the ball and nature of the game. However, Walter Camp, a coach, athlete, and writer is credited with formalizing rules we know today, including forward passes and a line of scrimmage.

What’s the story behind the original football and its shape?

The original football was not engineered to be the elongated shape we all know and love today. In fact, that shape was a complete accident. During perhaps the first official college football match between Princeton and Rutgers, the spherical ball supplied for the game was incredibly hard. Instead of swapping it out for a proper one, players would take turns reinflating it with little success. Despite their best efforts, the ball never stayed fully inflated, but, to history’s benefit, the lopsided sphere was more aerodynamic. Eventually, this shape became standard.