Cheerleaders have to make
every experience positive and fun

Imagine performing in 20-degree weather wearing a short skirt and a tattoo on your face. Then, some fan from the opposing team yells out, "YOU'RE FAT!" Sadly, when you are dancing and prancing up and down with your best game face on, encounters with the opposing fans can be downright brutal and provide some shocking insights into the mind of the diehard, over-zealous fan at his verbal worst.

Often, a person's enthusiasm and loyalty to their own players manifests itself in jeers at complete strangers instead of cheers for their team. Fans can't help but become disappointed sometimes. They are wearing their team's jersey, they have numbers painted on their face... heck, their team's logo is even the family computer's screensaver. It is only natural for them to want a win at any cost, even at the sacrifice of their own dignity.

NFL fans always want their team to win, no matter what

So, this year make a pledge to keep the game experience as positive as possible. Rarely does a team go through an entire season undefeated, so be prepared to give yourself the "its only a game" speech at least once. A loss does not have to equal a silent ride home, a miserable week at work or a verbal whip lashing to a complete stranger. Game season is almost here, so get ready! (And start repeating positive verbal affirmations in the harsh face of interceptions now...)