The NFL's practice squad began as a clever tax dodge for a taxi company
In short: In the 1940s, Cleveland Browns coach Paul Brown needed a way to keep promising players on reserve without violating payroll rules. The solution? He put them on the payroll of a local taxicab company. While the players never drove a cab, the name taxi squad stuck for decades.
The practice squad, or taxi squad, serves as a vital development ground for gridiron football players. Because professional teams lack formal minor league affiliates, these squads allow teams to retain extra players who emulate upcoming opponents during practice. This system provides a crucial pipeline for inexperienced talent and a ready pool of replacements when injuries or other roster moves occur during the season.
The origin of the term is rooted in the ingenuity of Cleveland Browns owner Arthur 'Mickey' McBride. To circumvent All-America Football Conference payroll restrictions, he listed reserve players as employees of his Yellow Cab of Cleveland. Although the NFL did not officially recognize these squads until February 18, 1965, the practice persisted. By 1974, the league briefly eliminated the concept, only to reintroduce variations of the inactive system in 1977.
Modern practice squads have evolved significantly. Following the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, the size was eventually standardized to 16 players by 2022. The system now includes specific eligibility rules and salary scales for rookies and veterans. Furthermore, programs like the International Player Pathway have expanded the squad's role, allowing teams to integrate global talent who might otherwise never have a path to the league.
Beyond the NFL, the concept has been adapted elsewhere. The Canadian Football League uses a similar structure with unique nationality-based designations, while the NHL briefly revived the 'taxi squad' label during the COVID-19 pandemic to manage roster disruptions. These systems demonstrate how a makeshift solution for payroll compliance transformed into a permanent, essential mechanism for professional sports management.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Practice squad
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