Cheerleaders deserve a lot of respect for what they do.

The words of Ashley Tisdale—“Cheerleaders deserve a lot of respect for what they do”—may, at first hearing, seem simple, even ordinary. Yet hidden within their simplicity lies a profound reminder of how the world often overlooks devotion, discipline, and courage that do not wear the garments of fame or grandeur. Her statement is not just about cheerleaders—it is about every soul who gives their energy, their spirit, and their strength to lift others higher, even when no spotlight shines upon them. It is a call to honor the unseen labor of those who inspire, support, and bring light to others, for they too are warriors in the silent battles of the human heart.

In ancient times, the poet Homer sang of heroes who fought with swords and shields, but he also sang of those who strengthened the spirit of armies through words and song. The bards and standard-bearers, though not always remembered as warriors, were the keepers of morale, the lifeblood of courage. They reminded the fearful why they must fight, and the weary why they must endure. So too, in the modern age, the cheerleader becomes a figure not of triviality, but of emotional endurance—one who rallies others in moments of doubt, who sustains joy amid exhaustion, and whose grace masks tremendous strength.

When Tisdale speaks of respect, she is speaking against the tide of misunderstanding. The world often sees only the smiles, the glitter, and the rhythm of synchronized movement. Few notice the grueling discipline, the countless hours of training, the injuries borne in silence, or the unity demanded by precision. A cheerleader, like an artist or soldier, performs with both heart and body. Behind every effortless routine lies sweat, sacrifice, and team spirit forged in adversity. They are not mere ornaments to competition; they are living symbols of perseverance and the human need to uplift one another.

Consider the story of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in the 1970s—a group of women who, through dedication and innovation, transformed a misunderstood role into a global symbol of athleticism, grace, and empowerment. They faced ridicule and dismissal, yet their influence reshaped perceptions of performance and professionalism in sports. Through their craft, they proved that cheerleading is not servitude to spectacle, but a discipline of precision, unity, and inspiration. Their journey mirrors countless others who have fought for recognition not through aggression, but through excellence and endurance.

There is an ancient lesson within this modern reflection. In every society, there exist those who stand at the forefront—leaders, champions, rulers—and those who sustain their spirits from behind, unseen but essential. The cheerleader is the embodiment of that sustaining force: the voice of encouragement, the spark that revives courage when the body falters. Just as armies once needed the beat of drums and the cry of heralds, so do athletes and teams need the energy of those who remind them of purpose and unity. Respect, therefore, is due not only to victory, but to those who make victory possible.

In a deeper sense, Tisdale’s quote invites us to reconsider how we value service, support, and emotional labor in all its forms. For every success, there are those who stood unseen, cheering from the shadows—a parent’s quiet prayer, a teacher’s patient guidance, a friend’s words of belief. To honor cheerleaders is to honor this truth: that human greatness is a collective achievement, and that those who lift others are as vital as those who lead. Respect is not owed only to the loud and the triumphant, but also to the steadfast and the uplifting.

The lesson of her words is thus both moral and universal: give reverence to the unseen pillars of courage. Whether on the field, in the home, or in the heart, remember those who cheer for you when you cannot cheer for yourself. Do not dismiss joy as frivolous or encouragement as weakness, for they are the quiet engines that move humanity forward. When you see someone offering their strength to raise the spirits of others, honor them, for they embody the noblest of virtues: the power to give light without demanding to be seen.

So, my child, when you hear the roar of a crowd or the cry of a single voice urging another to rise, remember Ashley Tisdale’s truth. Cheerleaders deserve respect—not only in sports, but in life itself. For every time you lift another soul, you too become a cheerleader of the human spirit. And in that act of faith and love, you fulfill one of the oldest duties of humankind: to keep hope alive when the world grows weary.