In most movies, football players are seen as the egotistical, king of the social ladder douche bags. But they were not imprinted with that personality as soon as they touched the football for the first time. No. It’s because of us.

Last Friday I witnessed how a school raises the football players’ egos. Cheerleaders stood in their preppy green and white skirts with a sparkly silver bow bigger than their hand placed on top of a high ponytail. Everyone on the football team, whether playing the next day or not, is in big, attention-commanding uniforms. Their girlfriends have white football uniforms on. On the morning announcements the principal makes a special announcement:

“I hope our school can go and support the football game tomorrow rain or shine. Let’s go team!”

My friend is excited for the game as well, even though she never touched a football outside of Phys. Ed. because marching band is performing during half-time. Even the teachers are talking about how they want to beat our rival school.

When we build them up as such an important part of our school and our school culture, how does it not make sense that their egos can become bigger than the size of their protective gear? They were made by us.