Virtually all balls used in college and professional football are made from the leather of which animal?

Despite the popular nickname "pigskin," modern footballs used at the collegiate and professional levels are not made from any part of a pig. This enduring moniker is a holdover from the early days of the sport in the 19th century. The first footballs were rudimentary and inconsistent in shape, often utilizing the inflated bladder of a pig, which was then encased in a leather cover for durability. While the use of pig bladders was phased out with the invention of vulcanized rubber in the 1860s, the "pigskin" nickname stuck.

Today, every official football is meticulously crafted from cowhide. Specifically, the National Football League has exclusively used leather from the Horween Leather Company since 1941. This top-quality leather, sourced from cows in states like Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska, is chosen for its durability and the excellent grip it provides. The Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada, Ohio, has the distinction of handcrafting these balls for the NFL, producing around 4,000 each day.

The construction of a modern football involves stitching four panels of this specially tanned cowhide together. The leather is stamped with a pebble-grain texture, which increases friction and makes the ball easier to grip, throw, and catch. While the pros use cowhide, footballs designed for recreational or youth leagues are often made from synthetic leather or rubber to offer a more affordable and weather-resistant option.