Things I Discovered From Being Annoyed by Cheerleaders

Okay.  I’m going to open up and be vulnerable and honest with you for a bit.  Cheerleaders get on my nerves.  There I said it.  Let me clarify.  I don’t mean the cheerleaders themselves.  I’m talking about the actual cheerleading during the game.  For some reason, they seem to start cheering right as the next play is starting or right when they are announcing something over the intercom.  Some of the cheers seem never-ending.  A few of the cheers don’t even match what’s happening on the field.  I find it to be annoying and distracting.  I mean, after all, I’m here to watch my son play football not the cheerleaders!  Sometimes I just want to yell, “Shut up!”

Now that you all think I’m a horrible person… 🙂

I think I should give you an explanation and some background information.  In my younger years, I actually used to be a cheerleader.  I cheered for five years, two of those serving as Captain of the cheer squad.  Looking back to when I cheered as a young middle schooler and high schooler, I can now see that I was completely unqualified.  I had no business cheering, let alone acting as Captain!  I didn’t know anything about football.  I think I may have learned maybe a handful of basics.  Offense means our team has the ball.  Defense means their team has the ball.  A touchdown is when we score.  That was about the extent of my knowledge back then.

Currently as a wife of an avid football fan and the mom of a young football player, I’ve learned quite a bit more about the game.  I’ve especially learned more also as a participant of a fantasy football team (more on that story here).  Understanding the game has actually enabled me to enjoy it more.  If I were being honest, I think when I cheered in school it wasn’t so much because I loved the game of football but probably more the idea of it.  I loved the games and the exciting atmosphere.  I loved the comradery.  I loved the competition.  I loved getting up in front of people cheering and the attention I got.

I’m a little bit embarrassed now after the fact because I can see areas where I may have been more of a hindrance than a help as a cheerleader.  Continue reading →