ABSTRACT
The act of sacrifice is as old as religion itself. From the moment that humans held notions about gods or spirits, concerns were raised about how to appease them and earn their favor. At the beginning of the Bible, one observes the continuing practice of sacrifice inherited from the pagan world. The theme of atonement through sacrifice is central to Christianity as well. However complicated and disputed by scholars some of these transitions from early pagan cultures to Jewish laws to later Christian practices are, it should be noted that the general function of sacrifice remains intact throughout biblical history. The idea of sacrifice has carried over from religion into all areas of life, including the sports world. Sacrifice is necessary in sports because very little is given to an athlete without something being given up in return. Contemporary American religion and sports need the concept of sacrifice to convey meaning but stop short of asking for the ultimate sacrifice.
