What we've learned from English class, whether past or present is that prepositions are words that show relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence.
Historically, some of us may have been taught that we shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition, but thanks to 17th century poet John Dryden who declared this so-called rule (I think he just wanted to make English "act" more like Latin-you know,the "perfect" language), many are now misinformed. There's really no grammatical reason not to end a sentence with a preposition in the English language.
I would contend when it comes to real human relationships, and even those on a field of play, certain prepositions carry more significance in meaning. Yes, even a small, often overlooked part of speech can convey the weight of a defining moment and even a friendship.
Most of us our fans. If we follow a particular team, or band, or movie star, we are technically bystanders. We stand by that team...or even that person or friend. We cheer and support, however, we cannot be on that team. To be on the team means you are a part of the single purpose that a group has established and is participating in accomplishing the same goal.
For Lions' tight end, Brandon Pettigrew's understanding of prepositions has become a simple but important object lesson. He said after the game that the Dallas player seemed to be going through him: "He ran through me." If this is the case it is an illegal play on the defenders' part. This call should have stood as a penalty. The defender, Anthony Hitchens, was not by him, but practically on his opponent's person trying to go through him causing interference of Pettigrew's capacity to receive and possibly complete the pass. The preposition through means a relationship in which an object (noun, person) goes in at one end, side or surface and out the other. Unfortunately, the officials reversed the call to basically say Hitchens was harmlessly by Pettigrew.
If we were to extend the analogy to the friendships we have in our lives we are able to examine the various relationships we have in a deeper context. Some friends you could say, honestly, are by your side. They are there to listen and even be there to lend words of comfort or encouragement...but truly when it comes to something vital or more drastic in scope, they end up being just bystanders. Yes, they might cheer you on, but they stay in the bleachers when the going gets rough.
So when looking at the people in your life, ask: Are they on or by your side?
It is my opinion that the deepest friendships are found with people who are consistently on your side. They are not just by you but on the same page, on the same wavelength, on your side rooting for you and your happiness. They, like teammates, desire the same purposes and goals.
To be on one's side means they pick up pieces when perhaps you're not able to, or when others have treated you unfairly. A friend who is ON your side, is not over you, not above you, not beneath you, not against you, not between you and someone else, but rather on your side; on your team who encourages, uplifts, and respects you...even when circumstances are against you.
Yes, even when a penalty flag is picked up and ignored on a playing field that was suppose to be level and you end up down and out - it is then you deserve to have a true friend on your side.