american culture

Cultures can be defined by looking at what people of that culture deem important.

Some  cultures are defined by possessions like vehicles and houses.

American culture can be defined by such possessions. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football

However, the object that serve as cultural symbols for countless Americans are the football.

      

American football, known in the United States as football, is a sport played between two teams of eleven. The objective of the game is to score points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. The ball can be advanced by running with it or throwing it to a teammate. Points can be scored by carrying the ball over the opponent's goal line, catching a pass thrown over that goal line, kicking the ball through the opponent's goal posts or tackling an opposing ball carrier in his own end zone.