Abstract: An improved American football comprising an inflatable, one piece bladder formed in a generally elliptical shape and fabricated of an elastomeric material; four panels secured together over the bladder, each panel being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together by stitching to form four seams; an essentially inextensible liner formed of four liner components, each liner component being of a similar, generally oval shape with inturned edges secured together and to an associated panel by stitching to form four seams, the liner components being located between the panels and the bladder, an opening formed centrally along a part of one seam at a location where the panels and liner components are not stitched; lacing located along the opening to couple the inturned edges in place of the stitching; closure means comprising two patches and a tongue located between the bladder and liner components, the patches being stitched to the liner components, the patches being stitched to the line