Football and American Identity

No sport reflects the American value system like football. Visitors to the United States need only watch a game or two to learn all they need to know about the American way of life and the beliefs, attitudes, and concerns of American society. Football and American Identity examines the social conditions and cultural implications found in the football subculture, represented by core values such as competition, conflict, diversity, power, economic success, fair play, liberty, and patriotism. This unique book goes beyond the standard fare on football strategy and history, or the biographies of famous players and coaches, to analyze the reasons why the game is the essence of the American spirit.

Learn the value of football to American societyNo sport reflects the American value system like football. Visitors to the United States need only watch a game or two to learn all they need to know about the American way of life and the beliefs, attitudes, and concerns of American society. Football and American Identity examines the social conditions and cultural implications found in the football subculture, represented by core values such as competition, conflict, diversity, power, economic success, fair play, liberty, and patriotism. This unique book goes beyond the standard fare on football strategy and history, or the biographies of famous players and coaches, to analyze the reasons why the game is the essence of the American spirit. Author Gerhard Falk, Professor of Sociology at the State University College of New York at Buffalo, examines football as a game, as a business, and as a reflection of the diversity in American life. Football and American Identity also addresses the relationship between football and the media, with much of the games income generated by advertising and endorsements, and examines the presence of crime in football culture. The book discusses the development of the game—and those involved in it—at the Pop Warner, college, and professional levels, examining the social origin of players, coaches, cheerleaders, and owners. In addition, Football and American Identity analyzes the games fans and their devotion to “their” teams, examines why Pennsylvania is considered the “mother” of American football, and looks at the National Football League and its commissioners. Football and American Identity examines: how individualism and achievement can lead to mythological status why a persons occupation is the most important indicator of prestige in the United States what the consequences are of earning more in a year than most Americans make in a lifetime why equality is vital to the ethnic make-up of American football teams why teamwork is important-in football and in industry how freedom is essential for taking the risks necessary for success and much more!Football and American Identity is an inside look at football as an American cultural phenomenon. Devoted and casual fans of the game, as well as academics working in sociology, will find this unique book interesting, entertaining, and thought-provoking.

Preface Introduction Chapter 1. The School and American Football The Social Psychology of Football The Academic Achievements of Football Players and Other Athletes Childrens Football Football and Aggression Death and Injury on the Playing Field Football As an Alternative Status System Summary Chapter 2. College Football—The Professionals Minor League Football Develops a Subculture Recruiting College Football Players Money and Greed—The College Football Business The Race Issue in College Football Who Plays College Football? The College Football Coach—Role Model for All Seasons Football Injuries and Football Deaths Cheerleaders Summary Chapter 3. Football As a Profession A Brief History of Professional Football The Coming of Television Race and the NFL Football Fanatics The Domestic Lives of Football Players Professional Football Players As Victims Professional Football and Social Class Summary Chapter 4. Football and Social Stratification The Status of Football Players Wealth, Income, and the Football Business Race and Football: A “Mixed Marriage” The Jewish Football Experience Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas: Mothers of American Football Gender and Sexual Orientation Retired Football Players Summary Chapter 5. They Also Serve Coaches Scouts Trainers Officials Cheerleaders Football Doctors, Injuries, and Drugs General Managers Owners Summary Chapter 6. Fanatics The Football Hall of Fans Female Football Fans The Football Culture Regional and Generational Differences Among Football Fans The Tailgate Party and the Football Diet In Groups and Out Groups Fan Violence Fantasy Football The Influence of Gender on Human Contact Catharsis Summary Chapter 7. Football and the Media Announcers and Analysts Football and the Written Word—Print Journalism Supports the Game Women Enter the Locker Room Magazines Football Books Football in Film Football Songs and Lyrics Football Jokes Summary Chapter 8. The Football Business Money, Money Everywhere Film Production Advertising Merchandise Contract Advisers/Agents Lawyers Stadium Construction Profits Gambling Small Business Contracts Summary Chapter 9. Crime and American Football The Benedict-Yaeger Research Felonies and Misdemeanors: The Football Culture of Crime Super Bowl XXXIV Understanding Criminality Among Football Players Gambling and Drugs The Sociology of Crime Summary Chapter 10. The National Football League Football Politics and the South College Football Politics The Commissioners The NFL Machine Urban Warfare The International NFL From Football to Politics The NFL Community Summary Epilogue Notes Index

Frank Hoffmann