Sports or Meaning

Why do Americans have such a fascination with football? Is it the competition, is it the adrenaline rush, or is it being a part of something communal? American football is an expression of American values -- it is a sport dominated by men, who exhibit sexual agression in a game of pure competition. The uniforms express this sex appeal, as do the cheerleaders on the sidelines, half-naked, provocatively dancing and accentuating those body parts most entrancing to men. But the players are not the only ones expressing cultural values. The audience themselves support and acknowledge such an expression of values, because it in turn gives them a sense of meaning. An indigenous anthropologist might extend the term of deep play or art to American football for its expression of cultural values and its way of lending meaning to participants -- audience and players. Though a person cannot ignore the money involved in such an enterprize -- popular culture expoits what sells, what gives meaning, attempts to harness that power with hopes of generating limitless capital, and ultimately works to keep the class system in check within America. The poor find just enough money to see football games or perhaps buy a TV to watch them, and contribute money to the cause which makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. What an ingenius country we live in.