Benchwarmers

All athletes dream of being the star player on their high school team. You get to play the sport you love while everyone in the crowd is waiting for you to make your next move. Unfortunately, this isn't always the way it turns out to be. It isn't always how you hope it would be. As we all grow older we come to realize that there isn't equality in playing anymore. The best players on the team see the most time on the court and you must push yourself to outplay your peers. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, there will always be players better than you. This doesn't take away from your importance on the team though. The bench player is just as, if not more, important than the starters. 

Every athlete has known someone who has had the benefit and struggle of being a bench player, or been one themselves. Bench players can be some of the kindest, energetic people on the team, their smiles lighting up the room and adding to the team's spirit. They play an extremely important role on the team, whether it seems like it to them or not. Bench players are the ones who are there to always cheer their team on, no matter how well or bad they are playing. Bench players are always there to provide their teammates with support during a game and relieve them of their stress. Bench players are essentially the heart of the team.

Your team is only as great as its weakest player, but bench players are not anywhere close to being weak. Bench players are some of the most mentally tough people you will ever meet and can handle the most stressful, painful situations. No matter how much they want to be out on the court playing, they are always smiling and supporting their team. That is true passion and commitment to the sport they love.

Most athletes do not appreciate every single person on their team nearly enough. Bench players are extremely underappreciated and should be treated as a prized possession. Having someone on your team that can sit through the game they love, while waiting to be put in, and keep the smile on their face is a great thing to have. Bench players are the strongest athletes on a team and do not get enough credit for all that they do.