By Kenny Troiano
The colonization of the New World was also responsible for the introduction of cockfighting in the American continents. A fact that many Americans don’t know is how significant a part of American history the gamecock actually is. In fact, cockfighting and horse-racing were the main source of entertainment of the time, with advertisements and results of derby’s and mains being published in the local newspapers.
A fact that gets missed by many American historians, most likely on purpose, due to views of political correctness, and completely lost in modern history books is the fact that the gamecock and the sport of cockfighting was held in such high regard by our forefathers, that the gamecock was considered as a potential choice as our country’s national bird.
Very few Americans know that when our Founding Fathers were in the process of choosing our new country’s symbol, the Gamecock lost to the Bald Eagle by only one vote. President George Washington, who was a great spectator of the sport, was one of them who voted on the side of the Gamecock. The Bald Eagle got 7 votes, the Gamecock 6 votes, and the Wild Turkey 1 vote. Benjamin Franklin voted for the Turkey. It is highly conceivable that the future of the Gamecock would have been much different if only a small number of the votes would have favored the Gamecock rather than the Bald Eagle.
Another fact that gets lost by historian, and the books they write, is that throughout the ages this sport has been enjoyed by many of our public leaders and famous people, such as first President of the United States, George Washington; President Thomas Jefferson, who was the main author of our “Declaration of Independence,” and who was also a well-known gamefowl breeder and cocker. Even Abraham Lincoln participated in cockfighting, and was better known in his younger years as a cockfighting referee. In fact, he earned the name “Honest Abe” from his honesty in the cockpit.
Then there were men such as Benjamin Franklin, who was known as a scientist, inventor, as well as one of our most important statesmen; President Alexander Hamilton; President John Adams; President Andrew Jackson, who also held cockfights in the White House; President Henry Clay; President John Calhoun; President Martin Van Buren; and of course General Robert E. Lee, and General/and later President Ulysses S. Grant. These are just a few of the more prominent early Americans who were reported to have participated in the sport of cockfighting.
As you can see, the Gamecock has a long history here in the United States and throughout the world. Even today, we have universities who proudly use the Gamecock as their school mascot.
With all this history, breeders of American Games should feel honored and proud to perpetuate such a historical breed of fowl, especially in times when everything around us seems to be losing ground, to what I feel has become a throwaway society. Every day we are losing our rights and freedoms. As Americans, if we were to lose our fowl, our American Gamefowl, we would lose a part of ourselves. Let’s not forget, nor abandon a historical and important breed of fowl. Remember, extinction is forever!
