Welcome to America

America is three sports. Yes, there are other sports in America—but only three are “American.”  I put the term American in quotes not for emphasis or exaggeration, rather, the acknowledgment of the word itself. To be more specific, the three sports we will be discussing all provide definition for the term “American.” Let me explain.

The United States of America was created to be something new, something original. Our settlers pioneered this country to stand out to the world and break away from the British conformity. Sparing us from an over-detailed metaphor of the beginnings of our nation, I introduce American Football. Created, established, and performed only in America (sorry, Canada). Football is a game based on imposing your will upon those who line up in front of you. You defend your endzone, and you attack the opponents. Football players resemble something of warriors, determined to do whatever it takes to succeed. As only America could, we have created a sport that is almost strictly our own.

Basketball, the second of the American Trifecta of Sport, a far more globalized game to which America has taken upon itself to market, brand, and dominate. Speaking in more global terms, the competition for the US lives across the Atlantic pond—fitting isn’t it? Spain, France, and Greece all posses great knowledge of the sport, not to mention top ten spots in the World Rankings of Basketball (FIBA), but as our history as indicated, the USA is number one. How American is that?

To complete the metaphor, we end with baseball. Commonly called “America’s Pastime,” baseball has made the USA the top destination for the game, as Major League Baseball is unsurpassed as the most prominent hardball league in the world. What makes baseball truly, “Americas Pastime,” is the fact that it is not just Americans that play it. Players from around the world come to US soil to play the game, making it one of the most diverse sports in America. Summoning talent from South America, China, Japan—baseball provides the biggest opportunity for those who posses the skill to succeed. Now that is truly American.

Regardless of the sport, we measure ourselves based on our ability to succeed. How is that done? It is done in the only way it can be—winning games, matches, tournaments, and championships. From youth leagues to the professional levels, we are always finding ways to compete against one another. We have playoffs to prove who is the best team, we have MVP awards to reward the best player, and we have all-star games to prove who deserves to be acknowledged for their demonstration of elite ability. Success in America has become synonymous with winning. Peyton Manning can never be the greatest quarterback of all time until he gets more Superbowls than Brady and Montana. Lebron James cannot be considered the greatest until he gets more rings than Kobe and Jordan. Today’s athletes need accolades for their resumes; they need to prove that they are better than the rest. This becomes clear on what we call “game day.” Before each game we hear questions like, Who is better? How is each team doing? What players have been playing the best? Who will win today? Game preparation is as much for the athletes as it is for the spectators. While the players are preparing, we are comparing. We need to know who is best, we need to contrast each team, and we need to make predictions.  As only Americans could, we must award a winner—not on merit alone, but on result. We must prove who is number one.