Sport in the U.S

Sports are an integral part of American Culture. From the time a child can walk, the importance of joining a sports team is stressed. This pressure can be so strong in parts america that the cultural stigma placed on those who choose to not participate in sports at a young age, can carry a negative stigma. Sports are a lifestyle in American culture, and while many do choose to participate in other activities like art or music, sports are what draw the majority of American attention in our society.

While nearly any sport is accepted for the youth, several front runners emerge as favorites in the professional realm. Men's Basketball, Football, and Baseball are sometimes to referred to as "the big three", because they draw the majority of American attention and support. A few sports also gather regional attention like NASCAR in the south or hockey in the Midwest. The single charracteristic that makes these sports popular is that they all give Americans a chance to sit down and watch something extraordinary. The average american citizen revels at the opportunity to sit down on their couch and watch the best athletes money can buy pitted against one another. This is the single driving factor behind the economics of all the major revenue professional sports. The American people are willing to pay massive amounts of money to witness athletic feats that they would otherwise not be able to witness at their local rec center. The desire of American citizens to see and pay for the viewing opportunity is what makes it possible for the athletes in the afformentioned sports to earn more money then anywhere else in the world.

Gameday carries a similar routine and atmosphere for american people no matter what level the sport is. From pee-wees to the pros, Americans look forward to "the big day" and often base their entire week around it. Many other cultures see spending time with family and friends as a priority over sporting competition, but in America, Game day is family bonding day. The day is marked with feuds and fights, triumphs and joy, but most importantly it is a chance to live vicariously through "their" team, and prove that they are better than the opposition.

The single most important characteristic in determing the success of a sports team is winning. The ability to win is what gains and loses job, determines pay roll, and shapes the publics view of the team. While sportsmanship and character are also valued by Americans, a winning record will often act as a perfectly good substitute for anyone who lacks in those departments. Winning athletes who have also been marred by life mistakes are testament to this. For example, Kobe Bryant who has been accused of rape, Johnny Manziel whos character has been questioned time and time again, and Tiger woods, are all great examples of how winning can make public controversy dissapear.

Ultimately sports are a religion to some in the U.S, and they are worshipped accordingly