Sports during the 1930's
How sports affected Americans during the Great Depression
Happiness
When the Great Depression began everyone was almost hopeless. Out of know where, the American Dream had shattered like a precious vase once the Depression began (Corbett). Americans did not know what to do.
Sports on the other hand, brought happiness to Americans and a peace at mind.“'Like many other recreational activities, people did go to the ballpark to get away from the economic horrors of empty wallets and ice boxes' said Ray Robinson" (Bell). Sports were almost a warm hug that make you feel happy after.
It was not only the sports that brought happiness it was the athletes that became role models. "Sports heroes provided our daily emotional bread; for 60 minutes or three hours, the world was right again" (Corbett). For Americans to just witness these athletes was just like they were in the paradise there country used to be.
Attendace
Since Sports needed more attendance, they had to try there best to make it more
trendy. To do this the National Football League made a rule allowing a forward pass from the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage, doing this separated NFL from college football (Bell). Doing all this was in goal of getting the sport more exciting.
Sport corporations did anything they could to increase the viewership. For instance, the MLB allowed women into events for free in effort to encourage families to come to ball games (Bell). This is a prime example of how desperate times were.
Heroes
Jesse Owens a African-American track star was worshiped by many fans of his."To see Jesse Owens run in Michigan, Chicago or St. Louis during the Depression was better than medicine. It didn't put money in your wallet. It didn't help you get a job"(Corbett). This shows how they almost healed fans hardships.
Bibliography
Bell, Travis. "Sports & Entertainment during the Great Depression." Cultural History of the United States. Dr. Robin O'Sullivan, June-July 2008. Web. 04 Apr. 2016.
Corbett, Jim. "Search." Sports During the Depression. Westchester Journal News, 16 May 1999. Web. 04 Apr. 2016.