Football is more than just a sport to many people, including myself. Football’s culture is built on passion, and this unites many fans all over the world. In the last blog, I talked about how football communities bring people together, but today I want to talk about the symbols and artifacts of the game, and why they carry meaning.
The Symbolism of Football Artifacts
The symbolism behind the football itself carries a long way. The ball itself represents hard work and teamwork. A football has become a very iconic American symbol. The ball appears in many movies, commercials, and major events like the Super Bowl. Many traditions bring fanbases closer together, such as tailgating, fantasy leagues, and team jerseys. Players’ jerseys also have a huge impact. For example, a fan wearing a Justin Jefferson jersey not only supports the Vikings, but they are also sharing this jersey with millions of other people. Tailgating from the NFL to college SEC setups is huge. These gatherings use food, drinks, and team colors as cultural markers.
Wilson Footballs — official site
Justin Jefferson Jersey — NFLShop
Cultures and Perspectives Represented
Cultures and Perspectives Represented
Football may be huge in American culture, but it is also heavily tied to globalization, as there are games in the 2025 season. NFL International Series games are scheduled to be played in London, U.K., Berlin, Germany, Madrid, Spain, Dublin, Ireland, and São Paulo, Brazil, with games in Melbourne, Australia, planned for 2026. Key venues include Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium in London, Croke Park in Dublin, Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. Furthermore, each level of football carries different types of traditions. For example, SEC traditions versus Pac-12 teams. You’ll see packed-out die-hard fans at all types of SEC schools, while the West Coast Pac-12 is a lot more laid back.
Alabama Football Player Not Happy in Tuscaloosa — The Spun
Why This Interests Me
To me, fanbases seem to have the biggest symbol in all of sports. For example, I’m a 49ers fan, and if I’m walking wearing any type of merchandise, I’ll often hear “Let’s go Niners”. After that, it might start a conversation, and I end up making a new friend just from a simple interaction that connects us both. That small gesture shows how impactful football symbols truly are. Moreover, fantasy football group chats have symbolized years of friendships. For example, I’ve had the same group chat for the same ESPN Fantasy league with all my buddies, and this has built years of friendship.
As a fan of the 49ers my favorite growth story is Brock Purdy. The last pick in the draft and led his team to the Super Bowl. This symbolizes the underdog spirit he has, and that’s something all fans love and can learn from. That type of spirit is a great mentality to have, as if you put the work in it will take care of itself, and this applies to every aspect of life. Whether it’s school, work, etc.
“Brock Purdy 49ers Contract Value” — Wall Street Journal
Conclusion
Football artifacts are what give the game its cultural significance, and they remind people that it is not just about the game but it’s about the people that come together around it.
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