How similar are cheerleading and football?

Not only is it great to have the opportunity to meet a guy in high school who has strong morals, Christian values, and incredible character; but who is also intelligent, funny, full of insight, active in clubs-in and out of school, and an athlete. This is Matt, who we interviewed during his senior year of high school. It is uncommon to find such a well-rounded guy.

Matt is 18, president of the Y club, vice president of senior class, on senior executive board, plays on his church basketball team, in FCA, and the powder puff coach. Oh, and did I mention a football player? Since 7th grade Matt has played football. It all began when a coach from a football summer camp encouraged him to get involved.

" I love the game. I want to play as long as I can. If you don't love the game, you aren't doing it for the right reasons. I play for the fun and comradery." The fun isn't always noticeable though when you practice everyday, lift weights on the weekends, and speed train. Also, the rewards may not always be what they should be. Such is the case with Matt's high school, who won only two of the games they played his senior year.

" We had high expectations. We didn't perform like we should have. It just didn't all come together. We worked very hard. We had the talent, but we couldn't bring it together."

So what happened when his team lost a game?

"We went on the field wanting to win. Expecting to win. We didn't go to lose. It was disappointing, but you become closer as a team. How you win says just as much about you as how you lose. Everyone was down after the game when we lost, but honestly everyone's attitude was optimistic."

The last game of the year was on senior night.

Matt says, " It was hard knowing it was my last night on the field. There's lots of tradition there. I was the last one to walk off the field. The stadium- Ishmael Stadium- was named after my grandfather who was the principal, assistant superintendent, and first football coach. "

From interviewing Matt I learned a lot about football and what takes place off the field. I also discovered several similarities between football and cheerleading. (At this point I might as well go ahead and get this out of the way; yes cheerleading is a sport, and it is equally demanding as football.)

Cheerleading and football have several similarities. One being the stereotypes associated with both of these sports. From talking to Matt I was happy to see that he understood that cheerleading is not just jumping up and down on the sidelines.

" Cheerleaders are misrepresented. I think you have to be an incredible athlete to be a cheerleader."

Both football players and cheerleaders experience problems with managing their time because both sports take up so much time.

"It's hard with everything I have during season. I never have down time, or talk/see my girlfriend or my friends." Matt told us.

Injuries in both sports are common. Such as: cramps in muscles, hyper extended knees, broken toes, sprained ankles and wrists, and pulled muscles.

Competition in both sports is a big deal. When up against another team both cheerleaders and football players use different forms of intimidation. There is also competition within the team.

" You work a lot harder when someone is breathing down your neck to get your position. It makes you push harder because you have competition." Attitude also plays a big part in these sports. Both require positive attitudes if you want to get very far, and this can be hard when the sport is so demanding, full of constantly improving yourself mentally and physically. It takes a lot of practice and dedication.

Off the field or the floor both teams are like a family, supporting one another. Our school's motto is " hard work, self discipline, fun, and family." The same holds true with cheerleading.

Matt's advice to football players can also be applied to cheerleading. "Persevere. Stick it out. Work hard in the off-season. Work 365 days a year. It's a year round thing. Keep your strength up. Have fun."

The bottom line here is that both sports take one thing more than anything else: heart. If you don't have it, or love what you are doing, it is ten times harder to succeed. Matt's heart and love for the game is evident.

By Carolyn Buckley
iHigh Teen Coorespondent

Posted by: iHighSchools