Professionalism?

“Dedication” is the only word that comes to mind when one sees this photo. Despite bleeding, this hardworking cheerleader showed determination when she continued with the routine and even became a base for her teammate.

This reiterates the dangers of this sport. Cheerleading ranks second only to gymnastics in the proportion of injuries that cause players to miss weeks or even an entire season. Stunts such as flying, tumbling, and splits put both flyers and bases at risk for concussions and fractures. Additionally, male cheerleaders are more likely to suffer injuries due to the intensity of their catches and lifts.