If football was the only important institution held sacred to a sate, or even a town, that state, or town would fall into utter disrepair. A lot of times, people can be very short sighted, and only be able to see what is important to them right there, and at that moment in time. They don't try to see the future repercussions of what could occur. In H.G. Bissinger's novel Friday Night Lights, the people, and the town of Odessa become the epitome of what I have just mentioned.

In the old oil rigging town of Odessa, football is everything to their people. It is the highlight of their week, and it is as sacred an institution as even church. During prayer at a local Odessa church, the pastor prayed, "We thank thee God, for the joy that the athletes bring to our hearts...