Pro-Football

Pro-Football, designed by Ed Krynski and manufactured by Gottlieb in 1973, is a well-regarded single-player, sports-themed electromechanical pinball machine capitalizing on football's popularity in the United States during the 1970s.

The machine boasts four flippers, two pop bumpers, two slingshots, four standup targets, two vari-targets, and a spinning target, contributing to a fast-paced and challenging experience for players. A unique aspect of the game is the way the ball enters the playfield from between the flippers when the right flipper button is pressed. The backglass carries an extra pair of score reels that tally the Point Score (max 99 points) alongside the main High Score display (max 99,990 points), and sound is provided by three chimes, a bell, and a knocker.

An interesting bit of design history: designer John Osborne, who created the two-player remake 'Gridiron' in 1977, recalled that the original single-player Pro-Football let the ball drain out the side rollover before the motor finished scoring a completed run -- a flaw frustrating enough that he injured his shin kicking the machine. When remaking the game as Gridiron, he quietly added a delay relay so the rollover score was remembered until the motor finished, fixing the issue he'd long resented. Pro-Football remains a cherished piece among collectors and enthusiasts today.