A gamecock is a strong, territorial type of rooster bred for cockfighting. Today, cockfighting, like most blood sports, is illegal in most of the developed world. Exceptions exist, such as several U.S. States, much of Central America, South America and parts of France. Gamecocks are bred for traits that make them largely unsuitable for barnyard use, and thus are rarer today. The term is popular as a nickname for many U.S. athletic teams. For example the teams at the University of South Carolina, Jacksonville State University in Alabama, Sumter High School (Sumter, South Carolina) and Screven High School (Sylvania, Georgia) use the name. A fighting cock is also the symbol for the UKs Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Also, the male sport teams of the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras are named "Gallitos" ("Little Roosters") after gamecocks. "Gamecock" is sometimes used as a nickname for people who are considered fierce fighters. During the American Revolution, General Thomas Sumter earned the nickname in his battle against the English forces in South Carolina.
