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NFL cheerleading

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The Indianapolis Colts were the first NFL team to have cheerleaders when they were known as the Baltimore Colts.

24 of 32 National Football League (NFL) teams have cheerleading squads, who perform on the sideline during games.[1] In 1954, the Baltimore Colts became the first NFL team to have cheerleaders. They were part of Baltimore's Marching Colts.[citation needed]

Cheerleading in the NFL is a part-time job. Often, cheerleaders have completed or are attending a university, and continue on to other careers after cheering for one to four seasons. The members participate in practice, training camp, games, appearances, photo shoots, and charity events. Apart from their main duties of cheering during the football games, the cheerleaders have many other responsibilities, the main one is marketing the team they cheer for. Nearly every team member is available for appearances at schools, events, conferences, etc., for a set fee.

An anticipated annual event is the release of each squad's calendar, featuring members for each month in swimsuits or uniforms.

Also, many cheerleading squads have "Junior Cheerleading" programs, in which they teach children, usually in the 6-12 year age range, on how to dance, perform on selected gamedays with the main squad, and often NFL cheerleaders act as mentors and role models to the children.

As well as being a mainstay of American football culture, the cheerleaders are one of the biggest entertainment groups to regularly perform for the United States Armed Forces overseas with performances and tours being enlisted by the USO. Teams send their variety show, an elite group of their best members, to perform combination shows of dance, music, baton twirling, acrobatics, gymnastics, and more. In February 2007, the Buffalo Bills even sent a squad of eight along with their choreographer into the war zone of Iraq. In 1996, the San Francisco 49ers Cheerleaders and their director helicoptered into the war inflicted country of Bosnia with the USO and the U.S. Army. The U.S. troops in Korea have been entertained during the holiday season with the USO's Bob Hope Tour. Over the years, the tour has featured NFL cheerleaders from the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington.

Cheerleader competitions

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The first "Battle of the NFL Cheerleaders" was held in 1979 in Hollywood, Florida.[citation needed] Two cheerleaders from each cheerleading team compete against other mini-teams in various athletic events.[citation needed] The events include kayaking, 100 yard dash, obstacle courses, and other events.[citation needed] The Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders took home the title in 1979.[citation needed] In 1980, it was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey and the Washington Redskinettes were the champions.[citation needed] The winners were Shiona Baum and Jeannie Fritz, and each received a car as the grand prize.[citation needed] The competition was resurrected in 2006 by the NFL Network, and was called NFL Cheerleader Playoffs.[citation needed] The playoffs were taped between July 17 and July 21, 2006, at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts.[citation needed] Two-person teams of cheerleaders from 25 of the NFL's 32 teams participated in a four-event series of competitions.[citation needed] The first two events tested the cheerleaders' athletic abilities in events like the 100-yard dash, kayaking, tandem cycling, and the obstacle course.[citation needed] The third event was a trivia challenge called "Know Your NFL."[citation needed] The final competition was a one-minute dance routine, similar to what they normally perform on NFL sidelines.[citation needed] The San Diego Chargers team (Casie and Shantel) defeated the Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams squads to win the overall championship.[citation needed] The 3 teams finished in a three-way tie, with 210 points. The Chargers were declared the winners based on winning the dance competition.[citation needed]

Teams with cheerleaders

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Listed by name, with corresponding NFL team.

Current Squad Name NFL Team Years Active Former Names
Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders Arizona Cardinals 1994-present St. Louis Cardinals Cheerleaders (1964-1987)
Phoenix Cardinals Cheerleaders (1988-1993)
Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Atlanta Falcons 1976-present Falconettes (1969-1976)
Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders Baltimore Ravens 1998-present None
Carolina Topcats Carolina Panthers 1995-present None
Cincinnati Ben–Gals Cincinnati Bengals 1976-present[2] None
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Dallas Cowboys 1972-present[3] CowBelles and Beaux (1961-1971)
Denver Broncos Cheerleaders Denver Broncos 1993-present Bronco Belles (1971-1976)
Pony Express (1977-1985)
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders Detroit Lions 1963-1974[4]
2016-present[5] 		None
University of Wisconsin–Green Bay Cheerleaders
St. Norbert College Cheerleaders[a] 		Green Bay Packers 1987-present (UWGB)
2007-present (SNC) 		See "Teams without cheerleaders."
Houston Texans Cheerleaders Houston Texans 2002-present None
Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders Indianapolis Colts 1984-present Baltimore Colts Cheerleaders (1954-1983)
Jacksonville Roar Jacksonville Jaguars 1995-present None
Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders Kansas City Chiefs 1986-present[6] Chiefs Cheerleaders (1964)
Chiefettes (1971-1985)
Las Vegas Raiderettes Las Vegas Raiders 1961-present[7] None
Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders Los Angeles Rams 2016-present Embraceable Ewes (1974-1994)
St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders (1995-2015)
Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders[8] Miami Dolphins 1984-present Dolphin Dolls (1966-1977)
Dolphins Starbrites (1978-1983)
Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders Minnesota Vikings 1984-present Vi-Queens (1961-1963)
The Parkettes (St. Louis Park High School Cheerleaders) (1964-1965, 1967-1983)
Edina High School and Roosevelt High School Cheerleaders (1966)
New England Patriots Cheerleaders New England Patriots 1977-present None
New Orleans Saints Cheer Krewe New Orleans Saints 2021-present Louisiannes/Saints Dancers (1967)
Mademoiselles (1968)
Mam’selles (1971)
Bonnies Amies (1975-78)
Angels (1978)
Saintsations (1987-2021)
Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders Philadelphia Eagles 1986–present Eaglettes (1948-1970s)
Liberty Belles (1970s)
San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush San Francisco 49ers 1979-present[9] None
Seahawks Dancers Seattle Seahawks 2019-present Sea Gals (1976-2019)[10]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1999-present[11] SwashBucklers (1976-1998)
Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders Tennessee Titans 1998-present The Derrick Dolls (1975-1997)
Command Force Washington Commanders 2022-present[12] Redskinettes (1962-1997)
Washington Redskins Cheerleaders[13][14] "First Ladies of Football"[15] (1998-2020)
Washington Entertainment Team (2021)

Teams without cheerleaders

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Listed by name, with corresponding NFL team.

NFL Team Years Active and Names
Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders (1960-1965)
Buffalo Jills (1966-2013)
Chicago Bears Chicago Honey Bears (1976-1985)[16]
Cleveland Browns Never had cheerleaders
Green Bay Packers[b] Packerettes (1957-1961)
Golden Girls (1961-1972)
Packerettes (1973-1977)[17][18]
Sideliners (1977-1986)[19]
Los Angeles Chargers Chargettes (1960s-70s)
San Diego Charger Girls (1990-2016)
Los Angeles Charger Girls (2017-2021)[20]
New York Giants Never had cheerleaders
New York Jets Jet Set Rockettes (1966-1969)
Jets Flag Crew (2006)
Jets Flight Crew (2007-2022)
Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelerettes (1960-1969)[21]
The Packers collegiate squad in 2009

As of 2023, eight teams do not have cheerleading squads: Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, New York Jets, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers, however, do use collegiate squads to cheer at home games.[22] Super Bowl XLV between the Steelers and the Packers in February 2011 was the first time a Super Bowl featured no cheerleaders. The Browns and the Giants are the only NFL teams that have never had cheerleaders, while the other aforementioned teams have had cheer squads in the past. However, there are reports that the Browns did have cheerleaders in 1971, but no records exist.[23]

The Buffalo Bills endorsed the officially independent Buffalo Jills from 1966 to 2013; when several cheerleaders sued both the Bills and the Bills organizations, the Jills suspended operations.[24]

Teams of "unofficial" cheerleaders began emerging in 2010 for NFL teams that did not have their own dance squad. These unofficial cheerleaders are not sanctioned by the NFL or any franchise in the NFL and therefore are not allowed to perform at games, represent the football team at any outside functions, or use any of the team's branding or trademarked colors on their uniforms. The teams are sponsored by local businesses, and the cheerleaders perform prior to the game, at tailgate parties, and other local events. Some also attend the local NFL games in uniform, and sit together in their block of season ticket seats. Their audition process, costuming, and choreography are very similar to official NFL cheer teams. Some also produce an annual swimsuit calendar, just like the legitimate cheerleaders. All of the independent teams hope at some point to be embraced by the NFL as "official" cheerleaders of their local teams.

  • The Detroit Pride Cheerleaders were the first independent professional team, put together in August 2010 to support the Lions.[25] However, as the squad was not officially recognized by the Lions, it could not use the Lions' logos nor colors.[26] In 2016, the Lions started an official cheerleading squad.
  • The Gotham City Cheerleaders were organized in August 2011 to support all New York sports but are most closely associated with the Giants. The team has also been known as the New York Unofficials, the Unofficial Dancers of the New York Giants, and the Gotham's Team Blue Army Dancers.[27]
  • The Cleveland Spirit Cheerleaders were created in September 2012 to support the Browns as a test team to attract fan interest.[26] This cheer team was created by the same people responsible for the Detroit Pride.[28]

Male cheerleaders

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Glenn Welt, cheerleader PR & tour photo 1978–1980.

Glenn Welt was the first male to try out as an NFL cheerleader, doing so on May 20, 1978.[citation needed] The Miami Dolphins would not let him compete when he arrived at the Orange Bowl in Miami.[29] The incident later became a nationwide news story, led to a federal anti-discrimination case,[30] and was spoofed on a November 1979 episode of Mork & Mindy.[31] The episode caused plans for a CBS made-for-TV movie starring Robin Williams as Welt to be scrapped, while also misrepresenting Welt and male cheerleaders in general when Williams pranced onto a football field dressed in a female outfit.[32][33][34][35][36][37][38]

Male NFL cheerleaders as dancers for the past few decades have been rare due to social norms and marketability. However, in 1998 the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders were the first cheerleader squad to start using male stuntmen in the squad.

Following trends in dance with popular summer dance series such as the Strictly Come Dancing franchise, So You Think You Can Dance, and World of Dance, where competitions are co-ed, in 2009, the first male dancers were added to National Football League by the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys introduced the Rhythm & Blue Dancers, founded by Charlotte Jones and directed by Jenny Durbin Smith, becoming the first co-Ed dance team in NFL history. They perform every home game on stage, half-time and sideline with their dynamic hip hop dancing, stunting, freestyle and tumbling. They are also responsible for the first NFL Drum Corp and in 2017 created a 7-16 year old co-Ed hip hop dance team Dallas Cowboys Rookie Squad. In 2018, the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints adopted male dancers to their dance teams as well.[39]

In 2019, the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers[40] and Philadelphia Eagles added males to their squads, and the Seahawks cheerleaders became the second permanent co-ed squad after the Ravens. In 2021, for the first time, the Panthers TopCats had multiple (3) men make the final team with the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders also adding a man to their team. Most of the squads' male cheerleaders are involved in stunts.[41]

In most situations, male cheerleaders are typically former college cheerleaders themselves, with a heavy emphasis on stunts and strength training.

Transgender cheerleaders

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In March 2022, Justine Lindsay, a transgender woman, made the Carolina Panthers, becoming the first openly transgender person to cheer in the NFL.[42]

Criticism and controversies

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There have been criticisms that NFL cheerleading is sexist, is objectifying women,[43][44][45][46] exploitative,[47] and outdated.[48]

In addition, several cheerleaders have sued their respective teams for violating minimum wage laws, mistreatment from management, exploitative rules and behaviors, sexual harassment, and groping.[49][50][51][52][53] Such injustices regarding the pay and employment treatment of NFL cheerleaders were highlighted in the 2019 documentary film A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem.[54]

However, defenders and proponents of NFL cheerleading have stated it helps young women engage with the NFL at the most visible and prominent level,[55] provide the NFL with role models for its female fans,[56] and are a cost-effective way of promoting a team at events.[citation needed] Also, NFL cheerleading squads have been used as advocates from their teams for female empowerment or LGBT rights.

NFL spokesperson David Tossell in 2013 defended NFL cheerleading by stating, "Cheerleading has a long tradition in the majority of American sports at both professional and amateur levels; Cheerleaders are part of American football culture from youth leagues to the NFL and are part of the game day experience for our fans."[46]

Male NFL cheerleaders have increased in the 2010s to help offset changing societal attitudes and concerns that NFL cheerleading was sexist.[41]

Pro Bowl

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A top honor for an NFL cheerleader is to be selected as a Pro Bowl Cheerleader, with one from each team attending. The Pro Bowl Cheerleaders were founded in 1992 and directed by Jay Howarth and Angela King-Twitero. Each year, one squad member from every NFL team is chosen to participate in the collective Pro Bowl cheerleading squad.[57] They are picked by either their own squads or by the fans via Internet polling.

Notable NFL cheerleaders

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[edit]
  • Cheerleaders from each team at the 2006 Pro Bowl.
    Cheerleaders from each team at the 2006 Pro Bowl.
  • Bengals Cheerleaders.
    Bengals Cheerleaders.
  • The New England Patriot cheerleaders performing on USS Kearsarge.
    The New England Patriot cheerleaders performing on USS Kearsarge.
  • Oakland Raiderette Swimsuit shoot.
    Oakland Raiderette Swimsuit shoot.
  • Cheerleaders at the Eagles Super Bowl parade.
    Cheerleaders at the Eagles Super Bowl parade.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Inside the NFL cheerleaders' fight for fair pay". Marketplace. December 31, 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  2. ^ "Ben-Gals Cheerleaders". www.bengals.com.
  3. ^ Dallas Cheerleaders History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007. Archived February 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ ""Meet one of the first Detroit Lions cheerleaders". Click on Detroit. June 20, 2016. Accessed June 21 2016".
  5. ^ "Detroit Lions to add cheerleaders". Official Site of the Detroit Lions. Detroit Lions, Ltd. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  6. ^ Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
  7. ^ Oakland Raiderettes History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007. Archived September 8, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders History (2010)[usurped] Retrieved February 10, 2010.
  9. ^ Gold Rush History (2007) Archived 2008-11-29 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved February 8, 2007.
  10. ^ Sea Gals History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007. Archived January 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "Cheerleaders Home". www.buccaneers.com. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
  12. ^ Phillips, Michael (August 7, 2022). "Latest filing with NFL shows Commanders making strides in reforming workplace". Richmond-Times Dispatch. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  13. ^ "Cheerleader History". The official site of the Washington Redskins. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  14. ^ "The Full Redskins Cheerleader Story 1962-2004". The official site of the Washington Redskins. Archived from the original on 2007-01-26. Retrieved 2007-01-26.
  15. ^ "First Ladies of Football". WashingtonFootball.com. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  16. ^ "Chicago Honey Bears.net". Chicago Honey Bears.net. Archived from the original on 2017-10-03. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  17. ^ Green Bay Packerettes, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Retrieved September 21, 2007
  18. ^ Ex-Packers cheerleader writes winning slogan for fence, September 9, 2007, Retrieved September 21, 2007
  19. ^ Legends on Parade to highlight Packers' Glory Years Archived 2007-11-07 at the Wayback Machine, Green Bay Press-Gazette, August 24, 2007, Retrieved September 21, 2007
  20. ^ Charger Girls History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007. Archived February 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Steelerettes History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
  22. ^ Plaschke, Bill (January 27, 2011). "No Super Bowl cheerleaders? He says rah!". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  23. ^ "Remember when ... the Cleveland Browns had cheerleaders? Really, they did!". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  24. ^ "Buffalo Bills cheerleaders suspend operations". bigstory.ap.org. Archived from the original on 2014-04-25.
  25. ^ Pumerantz, Zack (October 9, 2011). "Detroit Lions Cheerleaders: The Hottest Pics of the Detroit Pride". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  26. ^ a b "Top 6 NFL Teams Without Cheerleaders". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on 2013-11-30. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  27. ^ Benton, Dan (September 24, 2012). "Meet the Gotham City Cheerleaders, Unofficial Dancers for All New York Sports". Giants 101. Archived from the original on 2015-09-11. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  28. ^ Bonchak, Jean (September 27, 2012). "Cleveland Spirit cheerleaders coming to Browns Town". The News-Herald. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  29. ^ Walz, Jessica (February 9, 2022). "BRIGHT LIGHTS, CHEERING CROWD! MY LIFE AS AN NFL CHEERLEADER | INSIDE DANCE". insidedance.com. Inside Dance. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  30. ^ U.S. District Court in Florida Case #78-5647
  31. ^ "Robin Williams -- First and BEST Male Broncos Cheerleader". TMZ.
  32. ^ TV Guide 11-24-1979
  33. ^ Washington Post 6-23-1979
  34. ^ Newsweek 11-26-1979
  35. ^ Cheerleader story 5-27-1978 The Free Lance-Star
  36. ^ The Miami News 7-29-1980
  37. ^ Gadsden Times 2-1-1979
  38. ^ The Evening Independent 7-30-1980
  39. ^ Williams, David (August 6, 2018). "NFL's first male dancers will hit the sidelines this season". CNN.
  40. ^ "Lorenzo Gilbert becomes first openly gay, male Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader". April 17, 2019.
  41. ^ a b Bob Condotta (June 3, 2019). "Goodbye, Sea Gals: New Seahawks Dancers include men". The Seattle Times.
  42. ^ "Carolina Panthers' Justine Lindsay is the First Openly Trans NFL Cheerleader". June 6, 2022.
  43. ^ Ryan, Shannon. "Time for NFL to end use of cheerleaders". chicagotribune.com.
  44. ^ Krattenmaker, Tom (August 9, 2018). "NFL cheerleading is demeaning to women. It's time to end this nonsense". USA TODAY.
  45. ^ Bennett, Jessica (April 7, 2018). "Is It Time to Rethink the Rules for N.F.L. Cheerleaders?". The New York Times.
  46. ^ a b McGowan, Tom (October 25, 2013). "NFL cheerleaders: Gratuitous sexism or all-American fun?". CNN.
  47. ^ Vikmanis, Laura; Sohn, Amy (April 12, 2018). "Opinion | Little to Cheer About". The New York Times.
  48. ^ Armour, Nancy (April 18, 2018). "No place in the NFL for cheerleaders in 2018". USA TODAY.
  49. ^ "Houston Texans cheerleaders sue NFL team for discrimination". BBC News. June 1, 2018.
  50. ^ Gleeson, Scott (May 15, 2017). "Oakland Raiders cheerleaders collect on $1.25 million class-action settlement". USA TODAY.
  51. ^ Mihoces, Gary (May 6, 2014). "Former Jets cheerleader sues team over alleged low pay". USA TODAY.
  52. ^ "Ex-cheerleaders offer to end lawsuit against NFL for $1: 'This was never about money'". ABC News.
  53. ^ "Buffalo Bills cheerleaders suspend operations". April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  54. ^ "'They Have a Voice': New Documentary 'A Woman's Work' Exposes Pay Disparity NFL Cheerleaders Face".
  55. ^ "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel - August 2018". HBO.
  56. ^ "How to Fix Cheerleading in the NFL - Sports Illustrated". www.si.com.
  57. ^ "Pro Bowl Cheerleaders". National Football League. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  58. ^ "Stacy". Archived from the original on 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2006-08-08 – via tinypic.com.
  59. ^ "Former Patriots cheerleader thrives in WWE NXT". New England Patriots. June 1, 2016. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  60. ^ "California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office > Newsroom > Notable Alumni > Teri Hatcher". californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu. Archived from the original on 2017-08-09. Retrieved 2019-06-15.
  61. ^ Guerrero, Lisa (November 13, 2008). "Lisa Guerrero: It seemed like a good idea at the time". The Fabulous Forum. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  62. ^ "Patriots Cheerleaders: Where Are They Now? - Camille Kostek". www.patriots.com. Retrieved 2019-06-15.

Further reading

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Media related to National Football League cheerleaders at Wikimedia Commons


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