Despite what the many critics believe, mainly football players and other athletes, cheerleading is a sport that requires hard work and dedication. Cheerleaders, just like participants in every other sport, attend camps, practice multiple times, risk injury, and face competition. It is time for cheerleaders to get the respect and recognition they deserve, instead of the stereotyping and ridicule they receive.
             During those last weeks of summer when all the sports teams are off at camp, one might assume that cheerleaders are just working on their tan. However, this could not be further from the truth. It is estimated that at least a half-million cheerleaders participate in cheerleading camps each summer (Brady, USA Today). Both football players and cheerleaders suffer through days of grueling practices during the off season, therefore both should receive praise.
             One comment that cheerleaders hear often is, "Cheerleading isn't a sport, you can't get hurt". However, cheerleading is just as dangerous as football. With cheerleaders doing stunts, executing complicated jumps, tumbling, and throwing people in the air, injury is expected. In fact, many injuries can stem from cheerleading, ranging from broken bones and bruises to concussions and spinal injuries. When a football player experiences an injury, he is usually benched. In the USA Today article on cheerleading, points out both the risk cheerleaders take and the dedication they have to the sport, "Cheerleading can be risky business: Some cheerleaders in Daytona Beach performed with wrapped ankles and knees" (Brady). To say that cheerleading is not risky, and therefore is not a sport, shows a lack of knowledge and research on the subject.
             Arguably one of the most important things to know about cheerleading is the amount of time and hard work that is put into practices. In competitive cheerleading, a squad may spend almost 25 hours per ...