What color must a football be to be considered legal?

A football must be brown to be considered legal in accordance with NFHS rules. The brown color used in footballs provides resilience and excellent grip, which are vital for both players and weather conditions. This specific color is standardized to ensure consistency across the sport, enhancing visibility while not reflecting too much light, which can be crucial for playability during different times of the day and under varying weather conditions.

Other colors mentioned, such as white, black, and tan, do not meet the criteria set forth by the NFHS for regulation footballs, which is why they cannot be deemed legal for play.