AboutDarrel Expertise I can answer most general NFL questions, don't know much about the college game. I can help with any kind of rules questions, federation, college, or pro.
Question Why are they named this way. What's the origin??
Answer According to the book "Who put the butter in butterfly?" Which covers all sort of language oddities:
In the late 19th century when football formations were a lot different than thy are today. The center was flanked by 3 linemen on each side, and the fullback was aligned behind the center, but quite far away. The 2 halfbacks stood halfway between the line and the fullback. The quarterback was actually not directly behind the center,but a little off to either side. The quarterback stood only 1/4 the distance behind the line as the fullback, and thus the name was born.
