Could Ancient Mesoamerican Rubber Ball Games Be Considered the First Team Sport?

💡 The Answer

• The Olmec and Maya played a team ball game using rubber balls as early as 1400 BCE.
• Players struck the ball with their hips, wearing protective gear.
• The game held deep religious significance, sometimes tied to human sacrifice.
• It is one of the earliest known examples of a structured team sport with set rules.