What does football represent in Death of a Salesman?

Football is mentioned only once in Death of a Salesman, when Biff refers to the school football hero Happy befriended. Given the context of the scene and the central themes of the play, it is unlikely that football carries any great symbolism.

Rather, the reference probably functions to further differentiate Happy and Biff: both were talented high school athletes, although Happy was the superior athlete of the two and thus gained greater popularity and approval.