Definition of the word end zone

The term "end zone" in American football refers to the area at each end of the field where a team can score points by carrying the ball into the opponent's end zone for a touchdown, or kicking the ball through the opponent's goalposts for a field goal or extra point. The origins of the term "end zone" can be traced back to the early days of football, when the field had no markings for specific areas. The first official 110-yard football field with end zones was established in 1881 by Walter Camp, known as the "Father of American Football." Camp created end zones as a tweak to his goal post design, which consisted of two vertical posts with a horizontal crossbar above them. He placed these posts at each end of the field, with a 10-yard-deep area behind them designated as the "end zone." The end zone allowed players to score points by carrying the ball into it or catching the ball in the air before it hit the ground in the end zone, which would result in a touchback, starting the play from the 20-yard line. Over time, the end zone became an integral part of the football field, replaced the primitive goal posts, and has remained a key feature in American football ever since.