Being an athlete is a tough job, but being part of a team is an unforgettable experience. Whether you're a current athlete or a retired one you probably met some of your best friends through sports, and your teammates are the people you will defend until the end. While every sport and every team is different, I've noticed that almost every sports team has a common theme: they all have the same different types of players. If you don't understand what I mean now, you will once you read the rest of this article.

1. The airhead.

They're a great athlete, but apart from their athleticism there's not much going on in their head. This person is always spacing off during practice, and always making the team laugh with their ridiculous (ly stupid) comments. They may not be the brightest players, you may be a little concerned with their IQ, but you can't help but to love them and their naiveness.

2. The one who is always eating.

Before practice, after practice, before games, after games, on the bus, everywhere you are this person is always eating. Despite how much they eat, this person is always the skinniest/fittest on the team somehow. Even when they eat an entire bag of hot Cheetos right before the mile test they still beat your time by a solid 30 seconds, it's just unnatural and unfair.

3. The insanely athletic one.

This is the player who is naturally athletic, and easily one of the best players on the team. You could have done two extra workouts on your own this weekend while they sat on the couch the whole time, but they'll still run circles around you in practice. Even when they're not putting in their full effort they still are able to make the sport look easy. Let's just say the is the person you're always happy is on your team and not an opposing one.

4. The one with a contagious laugh.

You're not kidding when you say they are always laughing. Not only are they always cracking up, but the sound of their laugh is always making the whole team crack up, too. Coincidentally this person also usually has a huge sense of humor, so they find anything and everything funny. Nothing with the team is ever boring when this person is around.

5. The one who always gets the team in trouble.

Whenever the team is getting punished with conditioning everyone immediately knows whose fault it is. Whether they were talking while coach was, messing up a drill, or showing up a few minutes late this person always finds a way to get the team in trouble. As much as you want to hate this person, you can't because they're one of your best friends so you've learned to laugh it off every time, and now it's a team-wide joke.

6. The kiss-a**.

You constantly find yourself wanting to remind this player that sucking-up to coach won't increase their playing time--if they even need it that is. Whether intentional or not this person is always around coach and trying to get his/her attention. This person definitely gets on your nerves every once in awhile, but they're your teammate so you have to just overlook their kiss-assery.

7. The overly competitive one.

It's all fun and games until this person is on your team for a drill. They treat every practice like a game, and will do whatever it takes to win. This person doesn't mind running through the best player during a drill, or sacrificing their body to win a simple game of world cup. Even outside of practice they're always competing, doing stupid eating challenges and double dares. They definitely make everyday with the team interesting.

8. The one that's always hurt.

Pulled their groin one day, and the first day back to practice they twisted their ankle. This person is either, 1) extremely fragile or 2) very unlucky. They always find a way to get hurt, and it seems like they're injured and on the bench for at least half of every season. You can't help but to pity this person because you know how bad they want to be playing again, but you can always count on them to be the loudest one cheering during a game.

9. The sweetheart.

This player is by far the best type of teammate. They're always nice to everyone, and if there's a conflict between players this person will always jump in to be the mediator and figure things out. They are always telling you good job, and making you feel good about your abilities even when you had a bad practice or game. You know that this person will always have your back, and they always remind you what a great blessing it is to be a part of this team.