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.