James A. Naismith

James Naismith was born on November 6, 1861 in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. He created the sport of basketball in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts when he was 30 years old. James Naismith had a wife named Maude Evelyn Sherman and 5 kids. James Naismith went to McGill College in North Virginia where he got his Bachelors degree in physical education and he became an instructor for physical education at the International YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts. There he created basketball. He also created the first football helmet at the YMCA. James Naismith worked at a YMCA and was told to create a game that was indoors so they could play in the winter and a game where no one could get hurt so he created basketball.

James Naismith (http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/james-naismith/1215 (Kansas Historical Society))

James Naismith's college instructor told him he needed to create a game in 14 days that could be played indoors. He took two peach baskets and a ball then they had to shoot a ball into the basket. There were thirteen rules when it was created. Basketball was inspired by the game Duck-On-Rock. Duck on rock is played usually with 4 people, 1 is the guard and three of them try to throw something at the rock. If they miss, they have to get the ball before the guard tags them, and if he does tag you, you switch places with the person who threw it.

James Naismith was also the first one to create the first football helmet. It was created in the 1920's for the football team because they kept getting concussions. The football helmet was also used in Canada. The first football helmet was worn in 1893 in an Army Navy game. In 1943 the football helmet was made mandatory.

James Naismith is a hero for a few reasons. He created a game that is played a lot in this country which also created a job opportunity for lots of people. James also made the game to be played indoors which is really good when it is winter time. The football helmet helped prevent lots of things, one of them is head injuries. He saved lots of lives with the football helmet. This is why James Naismith is a hero to me and lots of other people!