In football, the letter G is used to denote several different positions and statistics. Here is a quick overview of some of the main uses of G in football terminology:
Guard
One of the most common uses of G in football is to denote the guard position. The guards are two of the five offensive linemen in football and line up on either side of the center. Their main job is to block defenders and protect the quarterback on passing plays or open running lanes on running plays. Guards are given G designations like left guard (LG) and right guard (RG).
Goals
G is used to represent goals scored in football. Teams track goals scored by games, by seasons, and by players’ careers. Goals may refer to touchdowns in American football or points scored in forms of football that use posts like soccer goals.
Gain
Gain or yards gained refers to the number of yards advanced by the offensive team on a particular play. It represents the distance covered from the original line of scrimmage to the spot where the ball carrier is tackled or the play ends. First downs are awarded when the offense gains a set number of yards, usually 10 yards.
Gross yards
Gross yards refers to the total number of yards gained by a team’s offense before factoring in yardage lost due to sacks or penalties. For example, if a team gains 65 yards on a drive but loses 20 yards due to penalties, their gross yards would be 65 and their net yards would be 45.
Games played
Individual player stats will often include a G column to represent the number of games the player has played in that season. This provides context alongside stats like points, touchdowns, tackles, etc. by indicating how many games the player accumulated those stats over.
Grade
Player grades are a rating system used by some analysts and football sites to evaluate the performance of individual players. Grades are given on a scale like 1-100 or A-F based on certain metrics and impact on the game.
Examples of G Football Statistics
Here are some examples of how G statistics are used in football:
| Statistic | Example |
|---|---|
| Goals | Tom Brady threw for 35 touchdowns (Gs) in the 2020 season. |
| Gain | The offense gained 7 yards on a rushing play up the middle. |
| Gross yards | The Chiefs had 425 gross yards of offense but just 355 net yards after subtracting sack yardage lost. |
| Games played | Mahomes – 4,740 passing yards, 38 TDs in 15 G |
| Grade | PFF graded the left guard’s run blocking at 80.5 for the game. |
Defensive G Positions
On defense, G is used to denote defensive line positions playing technique that sees them line up directly across from the offensive guard:
- NG – Nose Guard who lines up across from the center
- DTG – Defensive Tackle lined up on the guard’s outside shoulder
- MG – Middle Guard lined up across from guard
Special Teams
G also shows up on special teams:
- FG – Field Goal
- XPG – Extra Point Attempt
Gambling Spreads and Odds
In sports gambling, G represents:
- Point spread – The projected scoring margin, like Patriots -7.5 over Jets
- Over/under – The total points scored, like over/under 42 points
Grad Transfer
Grad transfer refers to a college player who has graduated and transfers to play out their remaining eligibility at a new school. This is denoted as grad transfer or GTX.
Geographical Designations
Some college football teams incorporate G into geographical abbreviations like UTG for University of Tennessee or WVU for West Virginia University.
Origins of Using G in Football
The origins of using G as shorthand in football statistics and positions stems from early box scores and rosters that needed to conserve space on paper. One-letter designations were widely adopted to fit more information into less space in newspaper box scores. This carried over to broadcast graphics and football terminology in general as space-saving shorthand.
Examples of G in Box Scores and Rosters
Here are some examples of how G appears in football box scores and rosters:
| Scenario | Use of G |
|---|---|
| NFL box score |
Rushing – Jones (DAL) 18-105yds TD Receiving – Adams (LV) 9-88yds |
| College football roster |
#79 A.Smith OT 6’5 305 RSo #62 K.James OG 6’3 290 Gr |
| NFL team stats |
First Downs: DAL 17, NYG 14 Rushing: DAL 39-178yds, NYG 28-124yds Turnovers: DAL 1, NYG 0 |
Conclusion
In summary, G is used as a shorthand designation for many important football statistics and positions:
- Guard position on the offensive line
- Goals scored and points tallied
- Yards gained by the offense
- Games played by a player
- Player or team grades
- Defensive line positions
- Field goals and extra points
- Gambling spreads and over/unders
- Grad transfer designation
- Geographical abbreviations for college teams
It originated from newspaper box scores condensing information but is still widely used in all levels of football today. While it can be cryptic to new fans, G is engrained in football statistics and terminology.
American football features unique and complex positions and stats compared to many other sports. The use of G as shorthand helps succinctly communicate detailed football data and specifics in efficient ways. It likely will continue to have many uses in football lingo as new statistics and analysis methods emerge.
So next time you see a G in a football context, consider what it might represent – it could be anything from a guard to a grade to the geographic origin of a college team. The simple letter G has taken on many deeper meanings in the complex world of football.
Some key takeaways:
- G is used for positions like guard (LG, RG), nose guard (NG), and middle guard (MG).
- It represents key stats like goals, gains, gross yards, and games played.
- G shows up in team abbreviations denoting geography like UTG or WVU.
- It originated from newspaper box scores needing condensed information.
- G allows complex football data to be communicated succinctly.