When you think of your favorite sports team, who are the first players that come to mind? Whoever it may be, it likely won’t be a player coming off the bench. In sports history, bench players tend to be the least respected players on a team. Most athletes dread the question: “Do you start?” When one replies “no,” this is usually followed with a disappointed and passive-aggressive reaction. Never will you see a rotational player or bench player win any major awards or get significant media attention. The narrative around the bench has always been negative and these teammates are downplayed as unimportant players; contrary to popular belief, however, they are the glue that holds the team together.

When the starters can’t perform, bench players are always there for the team. The starters can’t always play at their best level, and when they are underperforming, the sixth man, seventh man, or even the eighth man, is always ready to be subbed in and play at a level that will give the stars on the team enough time to recover. Without them, the starters would have to play constantly, and could risk playing poorly or even losing a game. More than that, bench players often have an electric energy that they bring to the team. They are the teams’ loudest cheerleaders, shouting and jumping up and down each time their teammate does something impressive. Some rotational players are also simply older veterans, and they can provide crucial support and advice to help younger players. They might not fill up the stat sheet, but they can give starters the motivation and advice they need to push them to be the best they can be.

A perfect example of a rotational player who has been given his flowers is Jamal Crawford. Crawford is a former NBA player who carved out a 20 year career, most of it spent playing the bench. He acted as a spark plug who could be subbed onto the court in order to liven the dry offense. He then went on to win the Sixth Man of the Year award an astounding three times. Anyone who watches Crawford’s highlights will be blown away by his athleticism and scoring ability. Players like him exist at all levels, from professional leagues to your local high school baseball team. However, there are many players like him who don’t receive any sort of recognition for their efforts and dedication.

Despite all of the disrespect leveled at the “sixth man” of every sports team, bench players aren’t any less important than their more popular counterparts. They are full-time, present members of the team, just with less playing time. They still have the responsibility of providing support and positive energy to their team. So the next time you flip on the soccer channel or go to your brother’s basketball game, don’t overlook the players on the sidelines, cheering their teams on to victory.