Thus the saying “Nice guys finish last” reflects the negative psychological effects of much of modern sports.

The implication is that to be a winner you usually have to be merciless and violent. It is no exaggeration to say that these attitudes are prevalent even at school levels. John McMurtry, a former football player in the Canadian League, wrote: “Progressively and inexorably, as I moved through high school, college and pro leagues, my body was dismantled. Piece by piece. . . . It is arguable that body shattering is the very point of football, as killing and maiming are of war. . . . Competitive, organized injuring is integral to our way of life, and football is one of the more intelligible mirrors of the whole process: a sort of colorful morality play showing us how exciting and rewarding it is to Smash Thy Neighbor.”

As James Michener wrote: “Losing a game is not equivalent to death. Failing to be numero uno does not make me a lesser human being.”