Football In America Essay Research Paper In

Football In America Essay, Research Paper

In a society where competition and hard work are the rule, the game of football and in particular, high school football, with its melange of mores, norms and rituals have symbolically come to represent the American life. Like many of the conventions in American society, high school football has over the years ingrained in its players teamwork, loyalty, and the value of hard work. In addition, the institution of high school football not only pertains to the game, but has influenced many participants in the matters of sexuality, albeit with a certain degree of conflict. Finally, high school footballs’ rituals and rites of passages have enforced the attributes that have been deemed worthy, and have further inculcated beliefs in its partakers. In this paper, I will argue that high school football is not just merely a game, but a small yet very real facsimile of the American society as a whole.

In high schools all across America, football has been the prevalent sport for generations. From the early days of football starting in the 1920’s to the present day, football athletes have started their careers on high school fields. Coaches on every football team from the smallest towns to the Nationwide Division One champion teams have to a large degree stressed a certain standard of conduct and behavior. Among these attributes that are taught, teamwork is no doubt the most important. Vince Lombardi, considered by many to have been the finest football coach in history said, “Football is a game of many lessons in teamwork… The only true satisfaction a player receives is the satisfaction that comes from being part of a successful team, regardless of what his own personal ends are.” (Flynn, 15). Countless coaches in high school have agreed with Lombardi, and have taught teamwork as a means of achieving victories. Raul Palafox, a Central California League first team receiver and first team safety attributed much of his success to his team. He said, “It’s the team that wins the games. They’re the ones that enabled me to do as well as I did, and I gave everything I had for them in return. I’m nothing on the field without my team.” Palafox like many other players have attributed their personal success to their team, and it can be said that this is a result of the lessons players have undergone by their coaches. Loyalty is also another trait that coaches have highly stressed. Many times in my own personal football career my coach instructed us in this trait. An example of this was the fact that we were not to talk to anyone but fellow players before a game. This would show that our concentration and attention were only on the task at hand, and the people that would enable our victory. Such loyalty has been shown in other contexts as well. Norton Kim, another highly decorated first team player said, “There’s a lot of times where I’ve gotten into fights because (people) were messing with my friends… They’re (football teammates) like my brothers.” On and off the field, many high school football players have shown in action and deed how much the loyalty taught to them through the game has affected their lives. Finally, the ethic of working hard can safely be said to have been taught to just about every football team in the nation. David Nelson, a football coach at the high school level said about football, “…it requires exhausting hard work, to the point of drudgery.” (Nelson, 43). In support of this, special training camps notoriously called “Hell Week”, have been formed around the nation for high schools. During these “Hell Week” training period, players have to condition much harder than normally, as this weeds out players unwilling to work hard, in addition to bringing the willing players into shape. Exercises such as three mile runs, in 30 pound football pads in 100 degree weather are not unusual at all. Contrary to popular belief, this point of working hard does not only go towards the games played. As noted by Nelson, “Over 40 percent of all major injuries and more than 75 percent of all injuries happen during practice.” (Nelson, 32). Players are not only encouraged, but are demanded to give their utmost not only in game situations, but continuously. These traits mentioned above not only play an integral role in the realm of football but also in general to life in American society. The attributes of teamwork, loyalty and hard work are desirable in the work force of today. They are so desirable in fact, that many self-help gurus have made millions teaching many how to gain these traits and others they deem necessary for success. In teaching their players about the importance of these aforementioned qualities, high school football coaches have not only developed quality players, but have also instigated many of the qualities necessary for success in later life.

Quite possibly the most controversial subject matter that has been brought to attention about high school football is the way players have had their beliefs influenced about sexuality, namely sexual preference. Many players and even coaches have come under fire from individuals that were unfairly discriminated against due to their sexual preference. In one case in Boise, Iowa, a high school senior, Timothy Watkins was repeatedly verbally abused and discriminated against by his coach for being homosexual, when the fact of the matter was that he was indeed not gay. In my own personal expe