Last night, after wrapping up episode six of Netflix’s Cheer, I found myself dreaming I was back on the cheer mat. Just as I was ready to perform, I realized my hair wasn’t styled the right way. My sparkly scrunchie failed me, leaving my hair a mess. Rather than envisioning myself soaring through the air or executing impressive tumbling passes, I spent the entire dream frantically trying to fix my hair. Even in my subconscious, I’m a bit of a hot mess and definitely not in peak condition anymore.
The show dug deep into my psyche, leaving me feeling slightly traumatized. The stories of the five cheerleaders featured throughout the series resonated with me; each one was an underdog facing their own battles (spoilers ahead!).
It’s easy to assume that kids in cheerleading come from privileged backgrounds, especially considering the sport’s high costs. However, many of these athletes have endured significant hardships—sexual abuse, poverty, family trauma, and even time behind bars. For a lot of them, cheerleading has been a lifesaver.
Monica Aldama, the coach, embodies the tough-as-nails leader you’d expect from someone who has guided her teams to 14 National Championships and five Grand National Championships. Yet, her love for the team is evident.
While I appreciated the heartwarming aspects, what truly disturbed me was witnessing how far these kids push their bodies. The physical toll they endure is unlike anything I’ve seen. After watching this series, I can’t think of a sport that poses more danger than cheerleading. Indeed, statistics confirm this: The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research states that cheerleading accounts for 70.5% of catastrophic injuries at the college level and 65.2% at the high school level. So, what counts as a catastrophic injury? The American Medical Association (AMA) describes it as a serious injury to the spine, spinal cord, or brain, including skull or spinal fractures.
As captivating as cheerleading is to watch, I can’t imagine letting my kids participate in such a perilous sport. Inviting that kind of risk into my child’s life feels unthinkable. Still, I understand that for many, cheerleading is an all-consuming passion. In episode three, when I saw Mackenzie “Kenzie” Thompson hit the ground hard, I literally leaped out of my seat, hands clutched over my heart, exclaiming “OH MY GOD” repeatedly. I had to rewind, unable to comprehend the impact of what I just witnessed. With no protective gear, she crashed to the mat from a height of eight or nine feet.
Navarro’s cheer team has a policy that if any flyer hits the ground during a stunt, the whole team must do 50 push-ups. Despite this, falls still happen. In Kenzie’s case, she was launched into the air but miscommunication left her without a safety net, resulting in a brutal landing. It was a sound that echoed like a sack of bricks hitting the floor.
The Netflix crew wisely chose to stay back, allowing others to assist Kenzie without intruding. Interviews revealed it was a gruesome scene, with her elbow severely injured, sidelining her for eight to ten weeks and keeping her from the major competition in Daytona—the ultimate goal of their demanding training.
While that was the most severe injury, it was far from the only one. As the competition approached, more Navarro cheerleaders faced injuries. The bases—those hefty guys responsible for catching the flyers—complained of various ailments, and the cameras captured their grimaces post-stunt. The flyers suffered rib bruises from the repeated catches, and one even needed to be pulled from her role in the pyramid due to the pain. Another was told to stop practicing due to her severe bruising but continued against medical advice.
The show captures the harsh reality of cheerleading, with the sound of bodies crashing against teammates’ arms often echoing throughout. Despite the bases’ best efforts to catch the flyers gently, the sheer height and speed of the stunts make it nearly impossible.
Watching these young athletes sacrifice their bodies, I felt a mix of admiration and disgust. Yes, sports demand commitment, and those who take them seriously often sacrifice much in pursuit of competition. But when Morgan—a girl from a neglectful background—states, “People have broken their necks doing this, but Monica needs me to do it, so I’ll just do it. I would take a bullet for her,” it’s both heartwarming and chilling.
If a second season rolls out, you can bet I’ll be tuning in. For more insights on home insemination, check out this fascinating post on Home Insemination Kit. If you’re interested in home insemination options, visit Make A Mom for expert advice. Also, for valuable pregnancy information, March of Dimes is a fantastic resource.
In summary, Cheer pulls you into the intense world of cheerleading, revealing both the beauty and the peril of the sport. The athletes’ dedication is awe-inspiring, but the risks involved make it hard to watch without feeling uneasy.
Keyphrase: Netflix Cheer trauma
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