# Why is a football called a pigskin?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-football-called-a-pigskin/426841>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [November 17, 2007, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-football-called-a-pigskin/426841 "2007-11-17T16:59:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-football-called-a-pigskin/426841/1 "2007-11-17T16:59:54Z")

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[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_121.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_121.html)  
All that clever info, and Cecil didn’t reveal what a modern football is made of.  
So, what is it?  
There’s (or was) kind of a joke among (some in) the gay community that Deuteronomy 14:8 prohibits playing football.  
This one:  
“And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.”

The reference is meant as a response to this, and others:  
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman: it is an abomination” (Lev 18:22).

Anyway, my question is about the football and not about a debate.  
Good point, though. 😛  
Peace,  
mangeorge

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**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-football-called-a-pigskin/426841/2 "2007-11-17T17:35:52Z")

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The official NFL ball is made by Wilson, and it’s [leather](http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2478811&cp=2262171&sr=1&origkw=ball&parentPage=family), and so is the NCAA’s [ball](http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1029536&cp=&sr=1&origkw=ncaa+football&kw=ncaa+football&parentPage=search). The CFL also uses Wilson balls, so probably also leather, but I don’t have a cite.  
The Arena Leauge ball, made by Spalding, is “[composite leather](http://www.arenafootballstore.com/catalog/productdetail.cfm?TID=9580-40170711255640111171063-0&supercat=team&model_nbr=71256&sku=862-8455&cm=&cm_re=Slot%2D10-_-SKU-_-862%2D8455).”  
Many less expensive balls are simply textured rubber.