Final Reflections

I had an interesting perception of US sport before I took this class. I really love football, a lot. And I still hold my favorite sport in high regard, but this class has made me think critically about the sport in ways that I had not before. I looked at US sport as a model for hard work, determination, physical excellence, and of course as a form of entertainment. I love watching sports, and I will continue to turn on Sports Center every morning before I go to class. But now I will be noticing how sports are portrayed on ESPN. Who is presenting new information, if the players are being represented in a specific way, the number of female athletes that are mentioned in top plays, and the discourse used to present sports and athletes. I will always love watching football, but this class will make me look a little deeper into how it is presented, as well as the social and cultural influences that have come to shape my perceptions of US sport.

I really liked learning about disabled bodies. I know a decent amount about the paralympics, but I was unaware of the different sports available for disabled athletes. Murderball was an incredibly informative film, and it made me realize that disabled can also mean "abled" as well. The men in the movie participated in wheelchair rugby with the same tenacity and passion as any other "able" bodied athlete. I enjoyed watching the games and the suspense that the film created.

I will start asking (at least to myself) more critical questions about the sports world. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes of sports. Whether it is coaching, the obstacles faced by athletes, the structure of the institutions that control the sports we watch, or the media, I will be looking differently at the sports that I normally did not investigate too deeply before.

I am wanting to go into a career of environmental justice, seeking justice for people of color and poor groups of people and communities who bear disproportionate amounts of environmental toxins and waste. This class has shown how the intersection of race, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation all factor in to how certain groups of people are treated and the opportunities that they have. I want to challenge the institutions that oppress certain groups of people, and this class has shown me that not only is it possible and necessary to demand change, but that it is an incredibly difficult uphill battle.

I would definitely recommend this class to a friend. I found this class to be engaging, informative, and interesting. I did not expect to take so much from this class, and have my perspective on US sport be so drastically affected by this class. It is important for us to ask critical questions about sport, because it is such a valued pastime for Americans. Our understanding of sport needs to be evaluated critically, and this class has taught me to look deeper than the surface of the sports that I am watching.

Why the Man's Man's Game is an Insult to Men

We have come a long way in addressing and recognizing LGBTQIA rights in America. We have several states that now allow same sex marriage, and larger institutions are now implementing policies to protect the rights of those who do not identify as heterosexual. We may pat our backs for these accomplishments, but the reality is that homophobia is far from being a sentiment of the past. People are fearful to reveal their sexual orientation because of potential backlash, slandering, physical violence, or career-ending decisions made by institutions or people in power.

Sport is certainly one institution that does not provide a safe space for the LGBT community. As documented in "Training Rules", blatant homophobia is oftentimes ignored and athletes who identify as lesbian or gay face scrutiny and criticism for their sexual orientation. People like Rene Portland are able to use intimidation and remove scholarships from student athletes because they are in a position of power. Schools claim to take care of such issues, or turn a blind eye to homophobia in their athletic departments. This can be because Portland and others are the coaches that win championships and have excellent records, and by removing them from their position, the school may lose donations from alumni. Another reason may be because homophobia is an incredibly large issue that is multidimensional and intimidating. This issue is larger than college sports, and it is bigger than the case Rene Portland. The NFL reports of a pro athlete considering coming out as gay in the near future. This individual is only considering revealing his sexual orientation, because he fears for the potential (probably inevitable) backlash that he will receive. Sports is not a safe place for the LGBT community, and we need to make some serious changes to remedy that.

I would suggest implementing stricter sanctions for those who engage in homophobic behavior and threaten those whom they believe to be gay or lesbian. This can be accomplished by having players anonymously reporting such behavior to a higher authority, or sending in professionals to observe team dynamics and evaluate the safety of the athletic department. Awareness should be spread to athletic teams both in the NCAA and in professional sports on what homophobia looks like, how to address homophobic acts, and who to contact if players feel threatened or unsafe. Athletes need to feel safe and accepted for who they are and the groups they identify with. This takes a paradigm shift, but it is a necessary movement we need to take for human rights.

Sports and Ethnicity

Sports are incredibly important for African American culture. They are often portrayed as a ticket out of the difficult and oppressive lives that they endure and a way to live meaningful lives outside of poverty. It is popular for Hollywood to portray the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" image while telling stories of African American success in sports. This is, after all, part of the American Dream. Pop culture and news sources often choose the select few stories of black males who come out of the depths of poverty and achieve successful careers as sports superstars. The reality is, these stories are few and far between, and it is incredibly difficult to break the cycle of poverty and oppression that many African American communities face. Hoop Dreams is a prime example of this. Both of the young boys featured in the film were given rare opportunities to play basketball in schools outside of their lower class neighborhoods. Hollywood would take their stories and conclude that the two young men went on to play professional sports and have very accomplished athletic careers. The reality of the situation, however, was that neither were able to pursue professional sporting careers once they graduated. Their adversities persisted, and both found it incredibly difficult to leave their lower class standing. The images portrayed in Hollywood of successful African American athletes who overcame adversities could be seen as detrimental to preserving the myth of race. Racism still exists in America, and Hollywood puts a lot of effort into creating images that argue otherwise. Leaving your socioeconomic standing is difficult in itself, and stories of Black Americans achieving extraordinary feats that allow them to rise from the depths of poverty and oppression are incredibly rare. Yet, we still see many movies suggesting otherwise. I believe it is incredibly important for us to realize that we are putting pressure on Black Americans by making claims that anyone can become a successful athlete if they put in the hard work.

Gendered Sports Commercial

I've selected a series of commercials aired to promote Reebok and increased participation for Fantasy Football. The commercial can be seen here: Pick Me

The commercials are incredibly entertaining, while sending the message that if you are to wear Reebok shoes, you will be able to perform at the same level as the featured athletes. The "Pick Me" commercial is meant to be taken lightly, as it is clear that the various stunts performed are not entirely possible. Regardless, the "Pick Me" commercials clearly communicate gendered messages and ideals of what it means to be an athlete and a man. The messages sent through the commercials are straightforward. Chris Cooley punches through drywall in order to catch a football he cannot even see. This demonstrates that real male athletes have the physical strength and pain tolerance break the physical and metaphoric barriers faced in sport activity. Along with promoting any of the ads feature physical quickness and agility. The men are all physically fit and clearly fit the hegemonic model of masculinity. Professional athletes are expected to deliver outstanding performances during their games, and the men featured in the advertisements perform nearly impossible feats. This creates an intangible standard for aspiring athletes and men alike. They are professionals, but their athleticism is clearly superior as portrayed in the commercials. Jacquelyn Cuneen and M. Joy Sidewell write, "Gender-defining messages in advertising photographs may have an especially profound impact on children because children understand meanings in pictures before they understand meanings in text" (39). If this is true, then advertising on television cannot deviate too far from causing the same impact on youth's perception of gender norms. The "Pick Me" advertisements are entertaining and meant to be light-hearted. To an adult these messages are clear, and it is understood that the athletes featured in the commercials are not actually performing the seemingly impossible activities shown. However, to a younger viewer, these men are role models, and they may strive to be in their shoes one day.

Source:
Cuneen, Jacquelyn and M. Joy Sidewell. 2012. "Research and Reviews Gender Portrayals in Sports Illustrated for Kids Advertisements: A Content Analysis of Prominent and Supporting Models." Journal of Sports Management 12(1):39-50

Interrogating inequalities in Sports Media: Examining gender/race representation in ESPN

I've decided to investigate the presence of gender inequalities in ESPN's sport coverage. I looked at the website and investigated the different top stories for each sport, paying close attention to sports where women have a greater presence.

To begin with, the homepage of ESPN has a sidebar with breaking news/headlines. Each and every single headline had to do with professional sports, all involving men. There was no coverage on women's sports or women athletes. There are different sections that cover sports of all kinds, but they are not immediately available on the home page. You have to click on the option "more sports", which directs you to a wider selection of sports. There you can find the WNBA, women's tennis, and other sports where women are professional athletes.

From my findings, ESPN's coverage of women's sports is far from lacking. The sport pages where women are featured presents a great deal of information and articles examining players and games/matches. It is clear that women's sports have not been pushed to the sideline for ESPN. The only critique I have is that there is no mention of women's sports on the homepage. This demonstrates that ESPN's viewers/readers are more interested in sports such as the NFL, the NBA, the NHL, and the MLB. They readily offer links to the sports, and feature headline articles about players pertaining to the aforementioned sports. This conveys that what is most popular to ESPN's viewers is what is proudly displayed on the home website. My findings support current academic research that claims that females are underrepresented in sports. Women's sport does not claim the same amount of followers and support as men's professional sport. It is clear that women are underrepresented in sport, but ESPN's website does at least make some sort of effort to provide coverage on women's sport. It is a small victory, but the current coverage of women's sport is nowhere near where it should be. Readers should be wary of this coverage, and understand that while we are making some headway in gaining support for women's sport, the battle has not been won yet.

Reflecting on the Shame of College Sports: Should NCAA Div 1 Basketball and Football players get paid?

There are two separate sides to the argument on whether or not D1 college athletes should be paid. Both sides provide compelling arguments and should be considered equally, as this is a hot topic of debate currently.

For those who support paying college athletes, they argue that NCAA's current treatment of players is a form of indentured servitude. College athletes generate a significant amount of revenue for the colleges they play for, yet do not see any of that money themselves. It is argued that the athletes should be compensated for their hard work and dedication to their school and sport, and that it is unfair to withhold the wages earned by them. Another argument is that college athletes do not have the time to work a job, considering that school and their sport consume nearly all of their time. Since so much is being asked of them, college athletes should at least have some sort of allowance so that they are able to feed themselves and live comfortably. Some argue that college athletes' health and safety is put at risk during their participation in sports, so they should receive compensation for engaging in a sport that is high risk. That way, if they are injured, they are able to pay for the medical bills that occur with their injury.

For those against paying college athletes, they argue that the students are already given scholarships that pay for their tuition and part of their housing and food, so they do not need further compensation. The school is giving them opportunities that they would not otherwise be able to have had they not decided to play for the school. Those against paying college athletes argue that receiving free education and support from the school is payment for their participation in college sports. Another argument is that students voluntarily choose to play for their college team, and therefore their time and energy spent playing for their team is in a sense like volunteer work, and therefore they should not expect to be paid for something they are electing to do themselves.

I am caught in the middle of the debate on whether or not college athletes should be paid. I think that since so much money is being made off of the students, that there should be some compensation for their hard work since they are the ones out on the field/court putting in the work. On the other hand, I do believe that receiving a full-ride scholarship in exchange for playing on the college's team is an incredibly generous trade-off. Not only are the athletes gaining recognition for their athletic abilities, but they are also receiving a quality education that will help them for the rest of their lives. I am curious to see how this situation plays out in the future.

High School Sport

High school sports emerged in the early 20th century. Schools believed that physical education would be beneficial to students and that learning should not only involve the mind but the body as well. The social context in which high school sports emerged was peppered with racism and sexism as outlined in the novel Friday Night Lights, a true story based off of a town called Odessa in Texas. The town was completely dedicated to the success of the high school football team, and perpetuated racial and gendered stereotypes. Men were considered "women" and weak if they did not hit hard enough and practice constantly. Blacks and Mexicans were blamed for any and all misfortunes that came to be at the town. Women were expected to attend games and be on the sideline, encouraging the male athletes and catering to their needs.

Objectives of high school sport vary based on who is asked. Men tend to view sports participation as a gateway to achieving a masculine identity, gaining acceptance among their peers, and claiming recognition as an adult. Women tend to view sports as less of an indicator of their identity and more as a part of their larger project to achieving their goals. Parents and teachers believe that participation in high school sports will lead students to become more disciplined and obtain better grades. Some students play sports to gain popularity, others to facilitate sexual experiences. The desired outcome of sport participation is incredibly variable.

High school sport is valued in American culture because there is a widely held belief that participation in sports builds character and the student will benefit greatly from playing. As mentioned above, high school sports can also bring communities together and bring a great sense of pride among not only the students but the parents and fans as well. High school sports brings prestige to those who participate, among parents, administrators, teachers, peers, and the local community. Large events are held in honor of the teams and players, and brings the players a sense of pride and autonomy.

There are, however, many problems associated with high school athletics. Coaches are not held as accountable as teachers, and therefore have more leniency in their coaching methods and the way they treat their players. Unethical practices may be utilized and coaches may not face the same repercussions that teachers and other authority figures would if they were in the same position. Gendered stereotypes are also perpetuated in interscholastic sport. Men are expected to be aggressive, physically fit, and violent. Women are reprimanded for sharing the same characteristics, and are oftentimes bullied by being labeled as masculine or have their sexuality questioned. Finally, socioeconomic differences are highlighted in high school sports. Student athletes in low income areas are identified as good students because sports are seen as a ticket out of poverty. In upper-class areas, sports are often criticized as interfering with students' academic abilities.

One solution may be holding coaches accountable for their actions towards their athletes, and reviewing their conduct seasonally. Coaches can also be asked to limit who plays and how frequently based off of their grades and school participation. Coaching conduct should be very important to school administration and be monitored closely.

Once the Cheering Stops: The Life of a Retired Pro-Athlete

Life after retirement for professional athletes looks significantly different than those retiring outside of pro sports. Many professional athletes retire during their late twenties or early thirties while the rest of the nation is retiring at their mid-fifties or sixties. The amount of money they were guaranteed during their games is no more, and they are now forced to enter the real world with only what they have saved to last the rest of their lives. Professional athletes have a limited skill set, because they have dedicated the majority of their lives pursuing their dreams in their sport. The majority of professional athletes go bankrupt because they lived a lifestyle of luxury and excessive spending during their careers rather than saving money for their future retirement. The life of a retired pro athlete looks like living a life struggling to keep afloat financially and avoiding bankruptcy. Many retirees look for another career to supplement their lacking income. Some return to college to earn a degree, others search for jobs involving sports (newscasting, reporting, commentating, etc.), some invest in endorsements, and the very unfortunate are homeless.

Transitioning from life as a professional athlete to a life of retirement is incredibly difficult. Athletes are accustomed to spending exorbitant amounts of money on cars, houses, dinners, and other luxuries. Many athletes live from paycheck to paycheck, and when they retire they no longer have any source of income. The frivolous lifestyle they once led isn't possible any longer. Athletes face an identity crisis as well. They were known for their performance on the field, yet when they stop playing they have to accept another life and reality they never needed to embrace before. Going from the top running back to a retiree is incredibly difficult, and many athletes feel lost or forgotten once they stop playing.

I think athletes struggle so much with their money because we live in a society where outward appearance is considered extremely important. People feel pressure to have the newest gear, the most expensive luxuries, and spend more money than the next man. Athletes are signed at an incredibly young age and lack the forward thinking to plan for their retirement. We as a society do not teach kids in high school how to manage finances, how to save money, invest, or plan for the future. When we have so many young athletes given millions of dollars, of course they are going to do a poor job at spending it wisely. They lack the information on how to take care of their money wisely and are pressured by their peers to flaunt what they have.

I have considered the issue of bankruptcy in professional sports. It makes me mad because oftentimes these individuals are made out to be villains. I think it is incredibly sad that pro athletes who were highly respected during their careers are now being looked at as irresponsible and selfish when they struggle financially. I think that society is to blame for this issue. We are not teaching our children how to manage money in the future, and we are teaching one another that it is better to show how much money you have based off of your possessions rather than saving for down the road. These athletes are given millions of dollars at such a young age and lack the resources to make educated decisions with their resources. We are setting them up for failure.

Sport, Politics and the Olympics

1968 Olympics: Mexico City, Mexico

The 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City were surrounded by political unrest and controversy. Two separate groups of people voiced their opposition towards their homeland and were met with swift and relentless backlash. Only ten days before the Olympic games were to take place, over 10,000 students gathered at the Plaza de Tres Culturas to protest against the Mexican government and peacefully listen to speeches. The uprising was viewed as threatening to the soldiers sent to disperse the masses, and shots erupted into the crowd. Dozens of innocent citizens were killed and hundreds were arrested. Later in the Olympic Games, black sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos won gold and bronze medals in the men's 200 meter race. When called to the podium to hear the national anthem, both men wore a black glove on one hand, bowed their heads, and rose their fists as a tribute to black pride. They wanted to bring awareness to the injustices faced by blacks in America during this tumultuous time. Prior to their gesture, they were booed leaving the stage and banned from the Olympics permanently.

The actions taken by the students in Mexico and Tommie Smith and John Carlos best represent Eitzen and Sage's political use of sport as a vehicle of change in society. There is so much media attention and hype surrounding the olympics, and both groups of people used this heightened focus on the event to bring light to the injustices that were taking place in their own country. America was at the peak of the civil rights movement, and both Smith and Carlos believed that bringing awareness to the racism in the U.S. was equally important as their accomplishment of winning olympic medals. I disagree with the statement, "Sport is pure and devoid of political interference", particularly because of the events that took place at the 1968 Olympics as stated above. One of the goals of the Olympics is to remove all political biases from the games in order to hold events that focus primarily on the talents of the athletes. The mere fact that this has to be done shows that politics do interfere with sports. As stated above, the reason why Smith and Carlos were banned from the games was because they violated those terms. Politics undoubtedly affect sports and athletes, through the institutions they have control over or the regulations they enforce; and it is difficult to imagine a world where political interference does not exist.

Eitzen and Sage, Sports and Politics (Provided on the University of Colorado at Boulder D2L website)

1968 Summer Olympics: Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Summer_Olympics

1968: Black Athletes Make a Silent Protest: BBC America. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/17/newsid_3535000/3535348.stm

London Calling: The Globalization of the NFL

Until recently, the NFL was considered to be strictly an American organization. However now the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is expanding the organization and London is the target.

The NFL is an American organization, so it may not make sense to expand the sport outside of U.S. boundaries. This may be puzzling to viewers and fans, but to the NFL itself and its investors, expanding the sport gives it more attention and leaves the possibility of it becoming as globally popular as soccer (futbol). Not that the NFL is competing with soccer to be the most popular sport worldwide, but there is a great deal of money spent by fans to attend games. If American football can expand its popularity, the organization can grow and make more money.

So why London? Well, that's where the money is. Back in 2007 the first competitive NFL game to take place outside of the American continent was hosted in London with a great deal of success. The United Kingdom actually does watch American Football, and people from all corners of the continent travelled to watch the game. Bringing attention to the sport outside of its home turf means more TV time, more fans, and more money. Not to mention the cost of living is much higher in London than it is anywhere in the United States.

Great, so we just play more games in London and maybe even set up a new football team that lives in the UK. Then fans will travel from not only Europe but from America to watch games at a unique venue located outside of the country. More money for the NFL and the fan base diversifies, all is well, right?

Wrong. The distance from London to the East coast is roughly the same as from Florida to Washington state. However, if the London team were to play a game anywhere near the West coast, the plane ride would take a significant toll on its players. Changes in time zones can be difficult to adjust to as well. Also, what if NFL players would prefer to live in the U.S? Living outside of the nation you called home for your entire life is a drastic change, even if football careers do not last particularly long.

Incentives can be implemented to level the playing field between those who are on teams in the U.S. and those living in London such as pay raises, increased draft picks, or an extra bye week for the organization. These conditions may ease the strain of the difficulties faced by London athletes, but it definitely does not solve all of the problems.

Creating a new NFL team for London may be appealing at first glance for the league, but in reality it may create more problems than positive outcomes for the sport itself. After all, it is the players and coaches who will be making the time commitment to traveling across seas and living in a foreign country, not the fans.

Sociogenesis of Football

American Football.
Football was derived from early versions rugby played in Britain during the mid-19th century. Walter Camp is considered to be the creator of American football, implementing new rules to the game of rugby such as team size, the creation of the line of scrimmage, the scoring system, and many other aspects of the game that are still adhered to today. American football therefore was established at the Yale campus in Connecticut in 1879. Early versions of football can be traced back to England with the highly unorganized "mob football" played with inflated balls or other spherical objects.

Uniforms now are slightly similar to the uniforms worn by football players during its early days. Current players still wear cleats and have similar socks and pants. However, there is more padding on the shoulders and chest area that previously did not exist, as well as large adjustments made to the helmet worn. There is now more protection for the face and back of the neck, as well as solid material surrounding the head. Gloves are now worn to aid ball control as well.

One major significant event in the history of football was the establishment of professional football. On November 12th, 1892, William Heffelfinger, a Yale graduate, was paid $500 to play for the Allegheny Athletic Association. He became the first professional football player and sparked the beginning of the establishment of professional football teams. The first official professional football game was played on September 3, 1895 between the Latrobe Athletic Association and the Jeannette Athletic Club.

One major challenge that American football currently faces is the debate over the establishment of new rules and regulations. A great deal of research has been done on the consequences of multiple concussions suffered by football players and their mental health once they retire. Many people are pushing for new rules regarding tackling, and others are attempting to redesign helmets and gear in order to ensure fewer concussions for players. It is argued that over the years there have been so many rules and regulations nit picking players that there won't even be real football in the future. Players are heavily restricted in the plays they make due to the constantly changing rules and penalties. American football is challenged with creating a safe environment for the players, while maintaining the original concept of the sport.

Sport in the Ancient World

Ancient Greece:
Those participating in the olympic games were men, oftentimes aristocrats and laborers. Women were not allowed to participate nor watch the sporting. There was a strong sense of religion and honor that accompanied sports; those participating believed that the gods were a reflection of themselves. The athletes played naked in order to convey the beauty and strength of the human body. The main spectacle (the only spectacle at first) was the 200m sprint. Athletes had to swear under oath that they had completed at least ten months of intensive training before participating. A false start before the sprint was punished with a severe whipping, which was considered especially shameful. "Millions" were given to the winners of the events. Later, the triple jump, javelin, discus, the four horse race, and many other events were added to the olympic games.

Ancient Rome:
Gladiators participated in sporting events. Gladiators were men considered as caged performing animals, expected to kill their opponent. These men were prisoners and lived in barracks where they received extensive training similar to the Roman soldiers. The gladiator fights were ritualized spectacle fighting where viewers found entertainment from the slaughter of one of the gladiators by the other. The armor worn was elaborate, fancy, and decorated for the sole purpose of show. There was hardly any protection offered by the armor.

Sport, Society and Me

I have a very strong connection with sports. Since the age of six, I have been participating in sports. I have also watched sports since I can remember. I am dedicated to my teams and follow them very closely. I think that the reason why sports in general mean so much to me is because of how I was raised. My parents were always watching the Avalanche, the Rockies, or the Broncos, and they took me to games every once and a while. I developed my interest and passion for sports because they brought my family together.

The role of sport in society is undoubtedly a positive one. The fact that so many people when asked can name at least one sports team that they support either actively or in passing speaks volumes. Sports bring people together. Game days can bring entire cities together physically, by either gathering in sports bars or pubs to watch the game, or to the stadium itself where the game is taking place. Yes, there are times when rivalries bring out the worst in people and trash talking can certainly be seen as a negative aspect of sports. But ultimately the message is clear: it brings people joy to not only watch sports but to play them as well.

Athletes are definitely respected. The mere fact that so many people care what athletes do and have to say is a testament to their influence on society. Athletes like RGIII endorse eating at Subway, and people listen because they value him as a player. Other athletes participate in workshops and fundraisers for children in inner cities, and they have a huge impact on the kids' lives because they look up to the athletes and value them as people.

The Sports Ethic

Hughes and Coakley (1991) explain that some deviance in sports is not necessarily negative. Rather, breaking from the norm can be viewed as positive deviance. This is best understood by investigating the sports ethic.

The sports ethic is a set of norms, values, beliefs, and actions that athletes come to define as what an ideal athlete should be.

There are four dimensions of the sports ethic:
1. Being an athlete involves making sacrifices for The Game. The sport comes first. The athlete must prove that they are dedicated to the sport, their coach and their teammates by making sacrifices in their personal life/life outside of the sport. Ultimately, they need to be willing to do anything and everything in order to help their team progress.
2.Being an athlete involves striving for distinction. Perfection is the end goal. Winning is the only acceptable outcome, losing is completely unacceptable. The athlete is pressured to work harder, better, faster, and stronger (relevant Daft Punk reference) in order to get to the top and validate one's identity as an athlete.
3.Being an athlete involves accepting risks and playing through pain. Pain is nonexistent. To succumb to injury is equivalent to accepting defeat. Athletes are pressured to play through the pain; physical and psychological challenges come with the territory.
4.Being an athlete involves refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibilities. Nothing is impossible with the right attitude and enough hard work. Athletes do not accept the current status of their physical abilities, there is always something more they can do in order to become better.

Conformity to the sports ethic is caused by overcommitment by athletes. Some factors that may contribute to extreme conformity are: a belief that continuing participation in the sport may lead to sponsorship, feeling drawn to the action of sport, low self-esteem, and seeking mobility.

I played soccer from when I was six until I was a sophomore in high school. I played competitive soccer in my later years before quitting, and can identify with aspects of the four dimensions of the sports ethic. Specifically, I was pressured to work harder and better in order to move up in my competitive league. It is absurd because I was only 14 or 15, but I had coaches who would push me and my teammates to run until we collapsed or vomited. Practices took place daily, and we would practice after school until the sun would go down and we couldn't see the ball any longer. There was a great deal of pressure to stand out among our teammates and catch the attention of coaches of teams positioned higher in the league. The sports ethic applies to not only professionals, but even preteens who are simply playing for the love of the sport.

Welcome to U.S. Sports

American sport culture is diverse and unique. Sports are incredibly popular in American culture, and each subcategory is composed of a great deal of people dedicated to watching, attending, and participating in the sport itself. Baseball, basketball, football, and hockey are the most popular sports followed in the United States today. They share many characteristics such as dedication to endurance, male-domination, speed, agility, and most of all: hand-eye coordination. These sports continue to be popular not only because of the satisfaction their fans derive from the sport itself, but also because millions of dollars pour into their maintenance. Oftentimes the most popular and successful sports teams are the ones run by multimillionaires with the money to provide better stadiums, create attractive contracts with prospective players, and promote their team.

Game days are a true spectacle. Supporters who have their team playing dedicate a great deal of time and effort into the preparation of game day. Bars fill up with fans, households are decorated, fans paint their bodies, and rivalries divide even the closest of friends. Values convey are oftentimes contradictory. Sportsmanship is countered with segregation, compassion is met with ambivalence. Different fans have different values, and sometimes game days can become ugly. Those supporting opposing teams are subject to trash talk, and there is the potential for competitiveness to turn into anger.

Success is measured in a myriad of ways in sports. A team's win-loss record is a primary indicator of success. The amount of all-stars on a team can also determine how well a team is viewed. If players are breaking records and winning games, a team may be considered especially valuable and successful. A great coach could convey success as well. It entirely depends on the perspective of the players, the fans, and the owners.