What is the connection between football and gladiators?

Patrick: What is the connection between football and gladiators?
My teacher said I should write about football (American Football) and gladiators as my senior project since I love sports. I watched Any Given Sunday recently and they showed clips of gladiators in the one scene. However besides this reference I have had a rough time finding any more connections. Can somebody please give me a link with the two being compared or a book/movie i can read/watch? Thanks!

Answers and Views:

Answer by koko Whopper Conquistador CB #24
Fighting physically, violence, defending a territory (gladiator:kingdom, football: endzone). It involves strategy and rankings (team captain, veteran, starter, backup, benchy). They all involve some sort of owner/king/dictator who isn’t involved in the actual fight.

Answer by Kevin F
That you have to give 110%