Thinking Man's Football (1966)

Overview

Originally published as Pro Football and later rebranded Thinking Man’s Football, this strategic head-to-head simulation captures the cerebral side of American football. Released as part of the 3M Sports Games line, it focuses on play selection, tactical prediction, and statistical outcomes.

Each turn, the offensive player secretly selects a play—run, pass, or special play—while the defense chooses a formation and one of three areas to guard: left, center, or right. Both choices are revealed simultaneously, and a chart combined with a die roll determines the result of the play: yardage gained or lost.

Standard football rules for downs, possession, and scoring apply. The game plays out over two halves, challenging players to outthink one another while balancing risk and field position.

Unlike arcade-style football games, Thinking Man’s Football emphasizes play-calling strategy and probability, making it a great fit for fans of sports analytics, gridiron tactics, and old-school simulation.