By the time Monday rolls around, conversations about the weekend’s NFL games echo throughout the school hallways. At WCHS, football is not just a sport; it is a big part of students’ lives. For many of them, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens or Washington Commanders is more than just a record of wins and losses. It is about where you come from, what you stand for and what you believe in.
“I have been a Ravens fan since I can remember,” WCHS sophomore Riesha Gopkumar said. “Every Sunday, my family and I sit around the living room with snacks and watch the game together. Even when the Ravens lose, I still feel proud to wear purple.”
This year, the Ravens have had their ups and downs. They started strong, but injuries and close losses made it tough on the team in the first half of the season. According to the Baltimore Sun, they are currently 1-5 after losing their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, to a hamstring injury. Still, loyal fans like those at WCHS stick by their team through the highs and lows, whether it is a football team or the daily challenges of high school.
“When the Ravens win, I feel like the whole week just gets better,” WCHS sophomore Joel Bolkar said. “It gives me something to look forward to, especially when school is so stressful. I think being a fan teaches me to believe in something, even when it does not always go perfectly.”
At WCHS, where academics can be strenuous and intense, football gives students a break and a chance to be part of something bigger. Watching the team you support fight through mistakes and comebacks reflects the same kind of grit that WCHS students show every day. According to a 2024 Pew Research study, more than 70 percent of students who follow a team say it gives them a stronger sense of community and belonging. That kind of community can be seen on Mondays in the halls when friendly debates fill the halls between classes.
“Being a Ravens fan is about more than just football,” Gopkumar said. “It is about loyalty and hope. You learn to keep showing up, even when things are tough.”
On the other side, Commanders fans show up with just as much pride. Washington’s season has been unpredictable. They are 3-4 after a tough loss against Dallas as of October 17th. According to the Washington Post, the Commanders’ head coach, Dan Quinn, is focused on rebuilding and resilience. These two qualities are well known by WCHS students as they balance academics, sports and friendships.
“My family has always watched the Commanders together,” WCHS sophomore Flora Tsui said. “Even when they lose, we still get excited for the next game. It is something that brings us together, no matter how the season goes.”
For a lot of families, these football traditions are a big part of their family life. Some families gather for dinner or homework, while others gather around their living rooms, cheering for their teams. These little moments build strong connections that help students get through busy weeks. At WCHS, where so many students juggle demanding schedules, that kind of connection offers balance and perspective.
“The Commanders remind me that things take time,” Tsui said. “They do not always win, but they keep improving, and that is how I try to see school, too. You can not expect everything to go your way all the time; you just have to keep trying.”
Being a fan goes deeper than just cheering for a touchdown. It is about learning how to handle disappointment, whether it is a missed field goal or a low grade. The lesson is the same: bounce back, stay hopeful and keep showing up. This lesson can apply to sports and school for WCHS students.
“Watching football helps me take a break from everything else,” WCHS sophomore Magnolia Wu said. “It is a reminder that life is not always about winning. It is about showing up, caring, and being part of something that matters to you. That is what being a fan is about.”
At WCHS, football is more than a game – it is a way for students to see themselves as strong, hopeful, and loyal. The colors they wear might be different, but the lessons are the same: in football and in life, every moment is a chance to grow.
“When I wear my Commanders hoodie to school after a loss, it still feels good,” Wu said. “Because being a fan is not about the record. It is about believing, even when no one else does.”
No matter which colors they wear, WCHS students share one thing in common: the love of a game that mirrors the lessons of life itself. In football and in high school, every season is uncertain, every play matters and every moment offers a chance to grow.
“Football has taught me that loyalty means more than winning,” Bolkar said. “It is about having faith in your team, in your people and in yourself. No matter what the scoreboard says.”
