Does pro football have a positive or negative effect on society?

Essay by kclw1111College, Undergraduate December 2006

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The National Football League, without a doubt has a huge impact on American society. This impact however, can have many positive or negative effects on our culture. It can bring people together with a common interest, raise or lower the morale of a city, and influence the economy. However, either the good or the bad aspects must outweigh the other. Most Americans would say that the positive aspects of football are very important to our and the negative effects are much more minimal.

Having a home team to cheer for can bring people together, even people who are very different from each other. Pittsburgh, for example bonds over the love of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The city is brought together through its history and through the excitement of current seasons. Sam Toperoff refers to Pittsburgh as being bound together so tightly that being torn apart is impossible:

If you want to know about the "Stillers" (as the team is known in local dialect), talk to Pittsburghers about their city.

If you want to know about the city, talk about the "Stillers." You'll discover you've learned about the bond as well (Toperoff 17).

The connection between the city and the team is understood to be so close that being a Steelers fan, for many, is part of one's identity.

Even the accent and language used in Pittsburgh stem from the Steelers. Pittsburgh's famous football announcer, Myron Cope, made the Pittsburgh accent famous and even made up words that are used regularly in the city. It gives a sense of unity and uniqueness to the city.

The New Orleans Saints are another good example of a positive influence on society. After Hurricane Katrina, the morale of the city of New Orleans was at an all time low. They...