Popular sports like boxing, baseball, and football were big sources of family entertainment. Team sports flourished, however Americans focused more on the individual stars. During this time, boxing was practically owned by Jack Dempsey. In 1921, Dempsey headlined the first million dollar gate at a sporting event, when defending his Word Title against George Carpentier. (Vintage Hollywood) In football, Harold “Red” Grange, also known as the “Galloping Ghost”, played halfback for the University of Illinois. In 1925, he attracted 68,000 fans to a game in Brooklyn. However, baseball drew even bigger crowds than football. Babe Ruth emerged during this time period as the most gifted and popular players of all time. His popularity and talent scored him various nicknames such as “The Great Bambino” and the “Sultan of Swat.” Other stars emerged in sports such as horse racing, tennis, and swimming but were not as popular. Helen Wills, a seventeen year old tennis player, was one of the first female sports stars. She was nicknamed “Little Miss Poker Face” because of the business-like way she played the sport. Also, Gertrude Ederle swam across the English Channel in 1926 becoming the first woman to do
Popular sports like boxing, baseball, and football were big sources of family entertainment. Team sports flourished, however Americans focused more on the individual stars. During this time, boxing was practically owned by Jack Dempsey. In 1921, Dempsey headlined the first million dollar gate at a sporting event, when defending his Word Title against George Carpentier. (Vintage Hollywood) In football, Harold “Red” Grange, also known as the “Galloping Ghost”, played halfback for the University of Illinois. In 1925, he attracted 68,000 fans to a game in Brooklyn. However, baseball drew even bigger crowds than football. Babe Ruth emerged during this time period as the most gifted and popular players of all time. His popularity and talent scored him various nicknames such as “The Great Bambino” and the “Sultan of Swat.” Other stars emerged in sports such as horse racing, tennis, and swimming but were not as popular. Helen Wills, a seventeen year old tennis player, was one of the first female sports stars. She was nicknamed “Little Miss Poker Face” because of the business-like way she played the sport. Also, Gertrude Ederle swam across the English Channel in 1926 becoming the first woman to do