What is the history/evolution of the goal post in rugby/gridiron? Why did it evolve this way?

Question

Of course gridiron football is based on rugby and rugby was a deviation of soccer. So, what was the purpose of changing the goal? How and why did it go from a net-based goal to uprights?

Answer 1

We kept running into the nets.

Answer 2

The American football single post at the bottom and not in the way of the try line actually makes sense. I played in eastern europe last year and they used that for rugby.

Answer 3

OMG THAT LAST ANSWER WAS FUNNY! lol

To be honest I havnt a clue...but Irish football..or Gaelic Football has nets and bars...its pretty old...could of come from that...

Answer 4

There isn't a clear reference, however at the same time that Rugby was invented goal posts soon appeared. They were referenced by 1830, and were 18 feet wide with a crossbar 10 feet tall.  The focus was primarily on kicking for points, with the 'try' or 'touchdown' primarily used as a means of getting a chance to kick for points. Perhaps Rugby as the only school playing their game at the time wanted to differentiate themselves from other schools that were all playing a version of soccer. Since they changed the ball so that it wasn't round (easier to carry), a soccer net type goal would be very hard to consistently kick in for points. It seems to me that related sports that keep a rounder ball tend to have nets and 'soccer goals' and those that have changed to an oval or pointed ball have goal posts with or without a crossbar.