In 1892, William (Pudge) Heffelfinger became the first person to be paid to play American football when he was paid $500 to play in a game for the Allegheny Athletic Association against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. Allegheny won the game when Pudge recovered a fumble and ran 35 yards for a touchdown.
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The first athlete on record is a man named James Hogarth-Brown, who competed in several events at a nationwide competition in 1896. Although many other competitors were involved, Hogarth-Brown is the only man to be referred to as an 'Athlete', the others simply known as 'the remains'. some greek dood, his name was Kish Mi Ash Faht Bowy Queeny!! remember fat kids own
Athletes have been paid for thousands of years. This dates back to the days of Roman rule when gladiators were paid for their fights.