By participating in sports people learn to deal with upsetting losses and the thrill of victory. People also learn that if they work hard at something it can be achieved. By learning this the person may use that same theory farther down the road. There is also the use of team work. That same view is taken in most businesses today.
Sports also brings families closer together.
For example, on Thanksgiving a family might gather around the TV to watch a football game and cheer on their favorite team. Overall sports may be one of the biggest influences in our lives today if we like it or not.