This small clay figurine represents a Maya ballplayer. He wears a loincloth over his midsection and a U-shaped yoke (protective belt) around his waist. The yoke is open at one side, with a large, bird-shaped hacha (belt ornament) projecting from the front. A bulky stuffed turban cushions his head from blows inflicted by the heavy rubber ball as well as by his opponent. Despite the physical activity in which he is either currently or soon to be engaged, he wears several pieces of heavy jewelry—ear spools, bracelets, and a double-strand necklace. The skulls incorporated into the design of necklace allude to the sometimes deadly nature of the Mesoamerican ballgame, which, in addition to being an athletic event, was an important religious activity.