Cowbells, whistles, screaming, stomping, clapping and hollering. It’s a typical Friday night under the lights during football season.
Football fans go crazy when their team takes the field. The players jog out fully padded and ready to face the opposition head on.
During the Nov. 1 game between York High and Warhill High in Yorktown, Va., one particular fan went absolutely bonkers.
His enthusiasm was awesome to watch!
Except that this dad’s kid wasn’t the quarterback, running back, lineman or kicker. This exuberant dad’s athlete was a cheerleader dashing out onto the track to help root her team on to a victory.
Hekili Holland epitomizes the true meaning of “cheer dad.” Scott Willard saw Hekili’s high-spirited cheer moves from his spot in the stands and couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“My first thought was this guy is legit. No fear. Complete support for his daughter and the other cheerleaders. I just thought he was the cool dad.”
Scott noticed that Hekili’s smooth moves didn’t happen just once or even twice. Every time the cheerleaders performed the school’s fight school, he joined in.
“In the fourth quarter I leaned over and jokingly said to my wife if York scores again I’m making this guy viral.”
So he did!
Scott had no idea that his video of Hekili would go viral. So far, it’s been viewed almost 4.5 million times!
Hekili told Good Morning America that he was cheering to the school’s fight song.
“The band plays and the girls perform it after every touchdown or score. I was trying to learn it by watching the cheerleaders. But Mackenzi (Holland’s daughter) finally taught me one day. I’ve always loved the atmosphere of high school and college football. The band, the excitement, everything. It just another way to have fun and show support.”
When the cheerleaders start their routine, Hekili — now known fondly as “cheer dad” — shouts loud and proud for the Falcons. He jumps around, bounces up and down, does a knee lift and even attempts a high kick.
He screams whoooo! Then shouts “Go Falcons!” and punches the air repeatedly.
Hekili is dressed in jeans and school gear. He turns to the crowd to motivate them to chime in then points back at the cheerleaders.
Scott gets a kick out of seeing Hekili in action at the games and people around the world have fallen in love with the cheer dad full of spirit.
“I started reading comments and I realized it’s really touching people in some way. A lot of humor with moms threatening dads to step it up to just people getting a smile or laugh out of it.”
Facebook user Tigea Benton said, “OMG that’s the greatest thing.”
“I love dads that are active in their children’s lives. He not only watched but learned the entire routine lol. That’s too cute.”
Hekili confessed that “if this brings joy to folks then I ‘m happy to be that guy.” You have to see him in action in the video below.
Cheer Dad really does have some awesome moves!
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