#5: Deadly Sports Played by the Aztecs

The Mesoamerican ball game was far more than a sport—it was a life-or-death spectacle. Played with a hefty 9-pound rubber ball, this high-stakes competition demanded skill, strength, and strategy. But failure came at a grim price for the losing team: human sacrifice.

In a culture where the gods demanded offerings, defeat wasn’t just a blow to pride—it often sealed the players’ fates. This brutal twist made every match a gripping, adrenaline-fueled struggle, as participants battled not just for victory but for their very survival.