Meaning
What does They Had Us in The First Half mean?
The phrase They Had Us in The First Half, often continued by “Not Gonna Lie” is a popular reaction meme and GIF. The meaning behind this phrase is quite simple: it refers to situations where one’s expectations are completely turned upside down.
The origin of this meme can be traced back to a high school football game, where a player was being interviewed after his team had made a big comeback in the second half. The player’s initial response was positive, stating that his team was able to regroup and come back stronger. However, as the interview progressed, the player revealed that he had initially doubted his team’s ability to win.
This reaction image has since been used as a template for humorous captions that start off innocently enough but take a surprising turn towards something unexpected or even disturbing. It serves as a reminder that things are not always what they seem and that our initial impressions can often be misleading.
Origin
What's the origin of They Had Us in The First Half?
The origin of this meme can be traced back to a post-game interview with high school football player Apollos Hester. In 2014, Hester‘s team, the East View Patriots, had just played against the Vandegrift team. The game was a tough one, but eventually the Patriots won.
When Hester was interviewed after the game, he had an incredibly positive attitude. He talked about how his team never gave up and kept fighting until the very end. His passionate speech included the now-famous line: “They had us in the first half, not gonna lie. But we came back and won!”
The interview was posted by TWC News Austin on September 21st, 2014. It didn’t take long for people to start sharing and remixing Hester’s words online. The phrase “They Had Us in The First Half” quickly became a meme that could be applied to all sorts of situations.
Spread & Usage
How did They Had Us in The First Half spread?
The video quickly gained popularity and became a reaction meme, with people using the phrase to describe situations where they were initially fooled or misled but ultimately came out on top. The meme has since spread across various social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit.
“They Had Us in The First Half” is often paired with news headlines and sick stories, that end with a sigh of relief. Or it could be the opposite, baiting viewers with an innocent start, only to reveal a sick and dark punchline.
