The first settlers of this country, the Pilgrams, not only brewed and drank their own beer, but they often witnessed violent and intense “soccer” played on the beach by natives at Jamestown.

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Near the original Jamestown settlement in 1609, native American Indians played a soccer game called Pasuckuakohowog, meaning “they gather to play ball with the foot.” Beaches, a half mile wide with goals 1 mile apart, served as playing fields for as many as 1000 people at a time. From the painting above, bows, arrows, axes and gang tackling/homicide may have been allowed or encouraged.

Images via Mysport