Every NFL football has the nickname “The Duke” on the side. It’s a fascinating tale of how “The Duke” showed up on every NFL football that was manufactured. 

Wellington Mara was devoted to the National Football League (NFL) his entire life. The Giants were founded by his late father, Timothy J. Mara. The Pro Football Hall of Fame also inducted Wellington’s father as a charter member.

In 1937, Wellington became a part-time employee of the Giants, serving as the president of football’s assistant. Wellington Mara would join the Giants as a full-time club secretary in 1938. Following the death of his brother Jack Mara in 1965, he was elected team president.

Let’s examine how Wellington Mara rose to fame in the NFL and how his moniker is displayed in every NFL football.

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The moniker Wellington “The Duke” Mara appears on every NFL football

Wellington Mara led the Giants to 16 NFL/NFC division titles and has a wealth of experience with the team. In addition, he would contribute to the Giants winning four NFL titles. Wellington attended the University of Fordham and graduated in 1937. He would play for the Giants for 68 seasons.

Using all of his expertise, he would significantly alter the Giants. To improve the squad, he would make essential transactions and draught Hall of Famer Tuff Leemans. Mara would skillfully arrange the ideal deals for Del Shofner, Andy Robustelli, and Y.A. Tittle. 

Additionally, he would select Roosevelt Brown and Frank Gifford, two players who contributed to the Giants’ rise to prominence in the NFL. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Wellington Mara built the Giants’ nearly ideal roster and turned them into an NFL powerhouse. The Giants would win six divisional titles and the 1956 NFL championship in the course of eight seasons. He is regarded as one of the NFL’s most knowledgeable executives.

The NFL decided to honor Wellington “The Duke” Mara by adding his nickname to each current NFL football. Wilson makes every NFL game ball by hand in Ada, Ohio. “The Duke” has been Wilson’s creation since the beginning.

As of right now, Wilson has had the longest partnership with the NFL. The NFL started referring to its game balls as “The Duke” in 1941, and they still do. Wellington Mara played for the New York Giants in the NFL for several years. He deserves to be remembered for eternity.

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NFL Football Nickname FAQs

1) What is the football ball’s nickname?

Players and spectators have called the ball a “pigskin” for decades, even though it isn’t constructed of pork skin. How come? Nowadays, cowhide is used to make footballs.

2) Why do NFL footballs have the Duke mark on them?

“The Duke” NFL football bears Wellington Mara’s name, the owner of the New York Giants and a pioneer in the game. The Giants players nicknamed him “The Duke” when Mara was a young boy watching the game from the sidelines, and years later, the NFL game ball also adopted this moniker.

3) What is the name of NFL football?

To some extent, though, so does practically every other sport. In the US, football—also referred to as gridiron football or American football—is the most popular spectator sport. However, most of us most likely have no idea why it’s named “football” rather than tackle ball or oblong ball.