Washington Redskins Cheerleaders

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Washington Redskins Cheerleaders perform for U.S. servicemen onboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain

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The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders were the first, and continue to be the longest running National Football League cheerleading organization.^[1]

Originally called the Redskinettes, they have cheered for the Washington Redskins since September 30, 1962. The first director of Redskinettes was Doris Snyder. Initially she had the cheerleaders perform in native-themed (though not authentic) costumes, but subsequently changed to outfits similar to other NFL cheerleading organization, without any native theme.

In addition to touring with the football team, they have also performed around the world. Their have toured internationally to promote commercial products, as well as being part of United Service Organizations (USO) tours to entertain U.S. servicemen. USO tours have included Egypt in 2000, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 2001, Kosovo in 2002, and others for a total of over 35 countries. In December 3-17 of 2005, they completed their 20th overseas tour for the USO, entertaining U.S. troops in East Asia.

In 1998 the cheerleaders produced their first calendar, which they have continued since.

[edit] Notes

^ The only rival claim for being first in the NFL is the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The Dallas Cowboys had cheerleaders called the CowBelles & Beaux in 1960, drawn from local high school student volunteers, but they were entirely replaced, by a new professionally trained organization in the early 1970s[1].