I can’t stand hecklers. I once went to an FSU homecoming game with a friend of mine. At the time, I was a Gator fan. Now, Seminoles and Gators do not get along very well. But, I went to spend time with my buddy. It was not about whether FSU won or lost. It was about hanging out with my friend and enjoying a game. Glenn was more important than my Gators.At one point in the game, some idiot began cheering for the Gators. The only problem is that the Gators were not playing that day. He just showed up to heckle and almost lost his life for it. Nobody wanted this killjoy ruining their party.

Have you ever been to a game or event when someone around you was determined to have a bad time? The music and cheering were too loud. It was too hot or too cold. Their hot dog tasted bad and their drink was watered down. The team they were “supporting” was obviously filled with inept players, coaches and fans. Why did everyone around them have to keep standing up? Don’t people know that it blocks their ability to see the game? They obviously know more than the cheerleaders, players, coaches, management and even all of the other fans. They are so busy criticizing that they miss the winning touchdown or, even worse, that peoples’ lives are being saved!

Are we still talking about football?… Anyway…

Everybody loves the cheerleaders. That is, everybody but the buzz kill, booing, cynical hecklers. No matter how reserved you may be, watching cheerleaders go for it makes you want to dance. I love cheerleaders so much that I married one. They keep the party going. Their job is to keep the momentum rolling between plays, during timeouts and at half time. They line up and cheer for their players as they run onto the field. When the team is having a bad day, they encourage them to not give up. They are the life of the party. Can you win a game without the cheerleaders? Absolutely… but it will not be nearly as much fun!

Have you ever been to a game that was so exciting that it was deafening? At church, cheerleaders are the ones who jump up and applaud when people accept Christ. They are on the front row singing at the top of their lungs while throwing their hands in the air (visualize “spirit fingers”). When the service starts, they let out a shout. Cheerleaders never say, “That’s too loud?” or “Why did they do that?” They celebrate the wins and do their best to lift spirits during the losses.

We’ve got Spirit! Yes we do!
We’ve got Spirit! How ‘bout you?

Nobody likes a buzz kill, but we all love the cheerleaders. GO TEAM!

Now sing with me…

We are the champions, my friend.
And, we’ll keep on fighting ‘til the end.
We are the champions!
We are the champions!
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions – my friend. *