He has played on the same team for 20 years, and his teammates are like family to him. Although lacrosse has seen a 35% surge in participation since 2012, attendance at MLL (Major League Lacrosse) games have decreased and the sport doesn't get the television coverage like other sports in the US do. [22] Some say the name originated from the French term for field hockey, le jeu de la crosse. In 1856, William George Beers, a Canadian dentist, founded Montreal Lacrosse Club. For many tribes, lacrosse was seen as a gift from the Creator, and playing it was seen as a way to honor the spirits. Lacrosse Since many players were unable to get close to the ball, they focused their efforts on using their stick as a weapon. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. It quickly became the dominant form of the sport in Canada, in part due to the severe winter weather that limited outdoor play. It was sometimes used to settle disputes." Native American oral traditions cite the first lacrosse game played between birds and mammals. Some Native Americans believe the sport was a gift from the Creator to be used for enjoyment and as medicine. In recreational games, scoring was loosely kept, most times by the audience or a few players. Mens lacrosse rules allow some degree of stick and body contact, and the game requires protective equipment, such as gloves, helmet, arm guards, and shoulder pads. Lacrosse was played by Native American tribes for a variety of reasons including settling tribal disputes (versus going to war), toughening up warriors, recreation, religious reasons, etc.