In 1973, a local grudge became a heated rivalry between the FDNY and NYPD.

A Brooklyn Firefighter, Pudgie Walsh, and a Brooklyn Cop were arguing at a bar over which department had the better athletes, tougher guys, and more dominant football players. They decided the only way to truly know would be to play it out, and settle it on a field. The game was an instant recipe for success, so both parties agreed to make it an annual game. The matchup took on the name of what New York City was known as in the 1970's... Fun City. And thus, the Fun City Bowl was born!

This battle for NYC bragging rights helped to lay the roots for a national league of First Responders,
now known as the National Public Safety Football League (NPSFL),
and features 20 departments nationwide, comprised of Firefighters, Law Enforcement, and EMS.