Is this a football?
 

I always assumed it was an advertising piece for early American football underwear i.e., thick cardboard box top. Agreed? Opinions appreciated. Thanks!
<a href="http://s8.photobucket.com/user/zouraspm/media/zouraspm055/lastik%20krotch_zpsc40d0xma.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/zouraspm/zouraspm055/lastik%20krotch_zpsc40d0xma.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo lastik krotch_zpsc40d0xma.jpg"/></a>

While most people know of a football union suit, it actually got its name from one piece underwear popular between 1850 and 1920. Lastik Krotch made knee length union suit athletic underwear in the early 1900's. From what I can tell, the Lastik Krotch, and your box, were made between 1915 and 1920. It was marketed to athletes of all sports. The add below is from 1916.

www.antiquefootball.com

I don't think it's a football. I think it's either a medicine ball that is not drawn properly looking more elongated than it really is or it's a rugby ball. Given how it's held, how it looks as if it rests on the persons forearm and how it appears to have six sewn panels I vote for a medicine ball drawn from an incorrect perspective. It would alos make sense that someone would be wearing period "work-out" attire when exercising with a medicine ball.

Found this picture:

Attachment 221364