Gamecock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A gamecock is a strong, colorful, and territorial type of chicken, or fowl, bred for cockfighting.
Today, cockfighting, like most blood sports, is outlawed in most states of the United States, except Louisiana and New Mexico, and in many countries around the world. However, the term has become better known as a nickname for athletic teams. The University of South Carolina, Jacksonville State University in Alabama, Sumter High School (Sumter, South Carolina) and Screven High School (Sylvania, Georgia) use the name for their athletics teams. The male sport teams of the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras are named "Gallitos" ("Little Roosters") after gamecocks.
"Gamecock" is sometimes used as a nickname for people who are considered fierce fighters. During the American Revolution, General Thomas Sumter earned the nickname in his battle against the English forces in South Carolina.
