Everyone has probably heard the person at the game who attempts to get into the head of the other team’s players. In fact, it would be near-impossible not to hear him, as he sacrifices his voice for the next week by spewing one obscure insult after another — at any athlete in sight.

Most people attribute such a phenomenon to chemically-induced motivations, and hence write off their effectiveness as little-to-none. Many assume collegiate athletes have a thick emotional barrier, allowing them to tune out criticism with ease.

As it happens, they may be human after all.

While some athletes are certainly more oblivious to fans than others, a clever taunt will reach the ears of even the very best from time to time, according to freshman Lauren Zaniboni, who is on the volleyball team. And at the very least, it’s a distraction.

“It has an effect on players, but certain players are more affected than others,” Zaniboni said. “When fans talk about general things, then not really as much — but when they talk about personal things, then I think so.”

Some N.C. State fans have made notable efforts in this respect.

“I know coach [Charita] Stubbs’ husband talks to the other teams a lot,” Zaniboni said.

Even at football games with stadiums of more than 60,000 people, a dent can be made in the focus of the opposition.

According to redshirt junior quarterback Daniel Evans, the wit can get one’s attention.

“Some of the stuff you hear is pretty funny,” Evans said. “A lot of the opposing student sections will have some pretty good material. It’s pretty witty.”

And as wit goes, vulgarity usually follows.

“Most stuff I’m probably not even allowed to say,” Evans said.

Senior wide receiver and return specialist Darrell Blackman said fans often choose to recount past meetings.

“If you lose to a certain team, they’ll keep hammering you about it, trying to make you go back to that one point in time,” Blackman said. “They’ll get on you for dropping a pass.”

According to Evans, there are critical periods when the material is most effective.

“Before the game is usually the only time you hear it,” Evans said. “Once the game starts, you don’t really hear it, but the noise in general, that’ll affect you a little bit.”

Nevertheless, the important question is whether making the effort to personally taunt and insult opposing teams can provide an edge to the home team.

“I think it would,” Evans said. “I don’t know if I would be allowed to encourage our fans to do it, but I do think it would help.”