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If there is a game that ritualizes the American experience and ethos it is football. For two hours both men and women can enjoy sanctioned warfare away from the decor,forced politeness, and feminization of everyday life. Two teams defend their territory and violently tackle those who would encroach. Back and forth they struggle towards a goal; but the actual, underlying reason behind the game is to gain territory. In ten-yard increments the scoring team pushes while the scored-upon team gives ground in hopes of a stalemate and punt.

Professional football teams, like aggressive, marauding tribes of history, have their distinctive colors and "totems," usually animals (Bears, Lions, Eagles, Jaguars, etc.). Football "totems" (i.e., NFL licensed clothing, etc.) give our fans a sense of belonging to a unique community and "we" versus "them." The thrilling sight of our big bruisers running from the dugout at the beginning of the game with overflowing testosterone, aggression, and adulation of screaming fans and buxom, jumping cheerleaders all come together in what has to be one of the best feelings of community and camaraderie ever.

With its relatively short season and only one game per week, fans feel a sense of urgency, knowing that a victory (or, alas, a defeat) must sustain (or discourage them) for the whole of the next week. The football regular season is only 16 weeks. Every game is important, even to winning teams vying for home-field advantage in the post season playoffs.

Football also has a place in the American historical psyche. The story of American expansion through territory defended by Native Americans, French, Spanish, and later Mexicans can be symbolized by our love of football. The annexation of Texas and the subsequent Mexican-American war was an egregious example of "off sides," which because of the lack of instant replay, Americans won. The annexation of California just before the 1849 gold strike was an example of the "Hail Mary" pass. The U.S. Civil war was an example of the Confederates playing a "prevent" defense in hopes that the clock would run out of the North. The North won with its overwhelming front line strength.

Finally, Americans love football for its constant renewal of hope and optimism. Although this hope ebbs with the ticking of game clock, it is renewed with each bursting forth of the team from the dug-out, even if the team is short on talent during a losing season. Despite the other team's superiority in gaining territory, there is always a chance, a hope, that the underdog can get away with an off-sides or bring off a "Hail Mary" pass.

Learn more about this author, Jerry Curtis.
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