NFL Cheerleading
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For many NFL teams, their franchise also includes a cheerleading squad. Cheerleaders are a popular addition that can give a team more coverage/airtime, popular local support and increased media image. According to most NFL cheerleading sites, cheerleading is classified as a part-time job. However, this "part-time" job is a susbtantial commitment of time for practice, camp, games, appearances, photo shoots, and charity events.
Most often, cheerleaders have completed or are attending a university, and continue on to other careers after cheering for an average of 1-4 seasons.
Apart from their main duties of cheering during the football games, the cheerleaders have many other responsibilities. 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, lingerie, or uniforms. As well as being a mainstay of American football culture, the cheerleaders are one of the biggest entertainment groups to regularly perform for the US Military overseas. All performances and tours are 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.
As of 2006, a competition strictly for NFL cheerleaders was introduced on The NFL Network, called NFL Cheerleader Playoffs. Two girls from each cheerleading team compete against other mini-teams in various athletic events. This includes kayaking, 100 yd. dash, obstacle courses, and more.
[edit] NFL Cheerleading
[edit] Misconceptions
Cheerleaders are strictly prohibited from dating NFL players. However, most often the cheerleaders don't even see or come into contact with the players. It was recommended, in the FAQ section of the Miami Dolphins Audition page, that if a woman's intention in joining a cheer squad was to date a NFL player, she should simply become a groupie, not a cheerleader.
[edit] Magazine Coverage
Of all the American men's magazines, Maxim most regularly features NFL cheerleaders. While mostly famous for their pin-up style photographs of said cheerleaders, the articles comprise the bulk of modern cheerleader biographical material. Cheerleaders featured in Maxim include:
- Meghan Vasconcellos, Maxim, Sept. 2006
- Bonnie-Jill Laflin, Maxim Hot 100,[1] 2005
[edit] Teams
Listed by name, with corresponding NFL football team.
| Name | Established | NFL Team |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders | 1977 | Arizona Cardinals |
| Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders | 1976 | Atlanta Falcons |
| Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders* | 1998 | Baltimore Ravens |
| Buffalo Jills | 1967 | Buffalo Bills |
| Carolina Topcats | 1996 | Carolina Panthers |
| Cincinnati Ben-Gals[2] | 1976 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders | 1972[3] | Dallas Cowboys |
| Denver Broncos Cheerleaders | 1977 | Denver Broncos |
| Houston Texans Cheerleaders | 2002 | Houston Texans |
| Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders | 1977 | Indianapolis Colts |
| Jacksonville ROAR | 1995 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders | 1960s[4] | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders | 1966[5] | Miami Dolphins |
| Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders | 1984 professional / official | Minnesota Vikings |
| New England Patriots Cheerleaders | 1977 | New England Patriots |
| New Orleans Saintsations | 1977 | New Orleans Saints |
| Oakland Raiderettes | 1961[6] | Oakland Raiders |
| Pittsburgh Steelerettes | 1960-1969[7] | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders | 1948[8] | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Rams Cheerleaders | 1974 | St. Louis Rams |
| San Diego Charger Girls | 1976[9] | San Diego Chargers |
| San Fransisco Gold Rush | 1979 (as a coed quad before becoming an all-girl squad in 1983[10] | San Fransisco 49ers |
| Seattle Sea Gals | 1976[11] | Seattle Seahawks |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders (formerly the SwashBuclers from 1976-1999) |
1976[12] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders | 1975 | Tennessee Titans |
| Washington Redskins Cheerleaders | 1962[13] | Washington Redskins |
* Ravens Cheerleading Squad is technically a Co-ed Stunt and All-Female Dance squad.
[edit] Notable Cheerleaders
[edit] Arizona Cardinals
- Danielle Demski, Miss Arizona USA, 2004
[edit] Atlanta Falcons
- Nicole Duncan, Georgia State University Cheerleading Coach[14]
[edit] Baltimore Ravens
- Stacy Keibler, Professional WWE wrestler
[edit] Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
- Lezlie Deane, actress, founder of techno group Fem2fem
- Bonnie-Jill Laflin, actress/model
- Michelle Parma, actress, MTV's Road Rules: Europe
- Sarah Shahi, (1999-2000),[15] actress, plays Carmen on The L Word, second season
- Jill Marie Jones, actress, plays Toni On Girlfriends
[edit] Denver Broncos
- Katee Doland, Miss Colorado USA 2001
- Tatiana Anderson, Host of ESPN'S TV show Kiana's Flex Appeal[16]
[edit] Los Angeles Rams
- Lisa Guerrero, (1980s) American sports broadcaster, actress, model
- Jenilee Harrison,[17] (1978-1980), actress, Three's Company
[edit] Miami Dolphins
- Shannon Ford, Miss Florida USA 2002[18]
- Suzy Tavarez, On-Air Personality, LA radio station KIIS-FM
[edit] New England Patriots
- Kristin Gauvin, Miss Massachusetts 2005[19]
[edit] Oakland Raiders
- Danielle Gamba, Playboy Cyber Girl of the Month, October 2004.
- Jennifer (Jenn) Grijalva, actress, MTV's The Real World (season 18).
[edit] Pittsburgh Steelerettes
[edit] San Diego Chargers
- Charisma Carpenter, actress, played Cordelia Chase on Buffy The Vampire Slayer
[edit] San Fransisco Gold Rush
- Angela King-Twitero, author of The Business of Professional Cheerleading,[20] and dance costume designer (eight NFL Cheerleading teams wear her designs)[21]
[edit] Tennessee Titans
- Dr. Monica Williams, Vanderbilt University cancer research fellow[22]
[edit] Washington Redskins Cheerleaders
- Debbie Barrigan (1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001), Blast! dance troupe member[23]
- Michaé Holloman, (2000- ), Miss Maryland USA 2007[24]
- Kristianna Nichols, Mrs. America 1992[25]
[edit] Pro Bowl
Each year, one squad member from every NFL team is chosen to participate in the collective Pro Bowl cheerleading squad. Traditionally, this is the highest honor of talent and popularity an NFL cheerleader can receive.
[edit] 2006 Pro Bowl (AFC) Cheerleading Squad[26]
- Dorothy Lee, Baltimore Ravens
- Eileen Stachowak, Buffalo Bills
- Melissa Scalia, Cincinnati Bengals
- Renee Herlocker, Denver Broncos
- Rolanda Johnson, Houston Texans
- Brandi Jones, Indianapolis Colts
- Aubrey Moore, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Amy Day, Kansas City Chiefs
- Danielle O'Connell, Miami Dolphins
- Nicole Schell, New England Patriots
- Nikki Rogers, Oakland Raiders
- Lacy Harrison, San Diego Chargers
- Kerry Arrington, Tennesee Titans
[edit] 2006 Pro Bowl (NFC) Cheerleading Squad[27]
- Kristi Gauble, Arizona Cardinals
- Melanie Snare (Sutton), Atlanta Falcons
- Amy Woodard, Carolina Panthers
- Lynlee Allen, Dallas Cowboys
- Theresa Baugus, Minnesota Vikings
- Lindsey Williams, New Orleans Saints
- Tara Keating, Philadelphia Eagles
- Kristin Beisel (Fernandez), San Francisco 49ers
- Trina Mills, Seattle Seahawks
- Lacey Baldwin, St. Louis Rams
- Jennifer Abbott, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Courtney DeYoung, Washington Redskins
[edit] 2000 Pro Bowl Cheerleading Squad
- Katie Currier, Arizona Cardinals
- Jillian Edwards, Atlanta Falcons
- Meah Pace, Baltimore Ravens
- Julie Fanutti, Buffalo Bills
- Nicole Price, Carolina Panthers
- Nikki Lanzetta, Cincinnati Bengals
- Megan Willsey, Dallas Cowboys
- Marie Nesbitt, Denver Broncos
- Carrie Vogel, Indianapolis Colts
- Stephanie Archibald, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Rosie Hannan, Kansas City Chiefs
- Suzanne Bierwith, Miami Dolphins
- Angela Parkos, Minnesota Vikings
- Kalen Mace, New England Patriots
- Lani Quagliano, New Orleans Saints
- Patty Herrera, Oakland Raiders
- Cheryl Williams, Philidelphia Eagles
- Michelle Steptoe, St. Louis Rams
- Susan Macy, San Diego Chargers
- Antoinette Bertolani, San Fransisco 49ers
- Angela Adto, Seattle Seahawks
- Kristin Turner, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
[edit] 2005 Pro Bowl Cheerleading Squad
- Heather Joy, Arizona Cardinals
- Kim Kennedy, Atlanta Falcons
- Jamie Ringer, Buffalo Bills
- Shannon McClattie, Carolina Panthers
- Tara Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals
- Brandi Redmond, Dallas Cowboys
- Sarah Silva, Denver Broncos
- Julie Rainbolt, Houston Texans
- Jennifer Trock, Indianapolis Colts
- Jill Cottingham, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Kendrea White, Kansas City Chiefs
- Jackie Villarino, Miami Dolphins
- Erin Frey, Minnesota Vikings
- Allison Preston, New England Patriots
- Deryn Derbigny, New Orleans Saints
- Kristin Medwick, Oakland Raiders
- Monica Devlin, Philadelphia Eagles
- Lisa Simmons, San Diego Chargers
- Jany Collaco, San Francisco 49ers
- Kiara Bright, Seattle Seahawks
- Sommer Harris, St. Louis Rams
- Leigh Vollmer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Jenita Smith, Tennessee Titans
- Jamilla Keene, Washington Redskins
- Brandi Redmond, Dallas Cowboys
[edit] References
- ^ Maxim Hot 100 (2005). [1] Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ [2]
- ^ Dallas Cheerleaders History (2007). [3] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders History (2007). [4] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Miami Cheerleaders History (2007). [5] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Oakland Raiderettes History (2007). [6] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Steelerettes History (2007). [7] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Philidelphia Eagles Cheerleaders History (2007). [8] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Charger Girls History (2007). [9] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Gold Rush History (2007). [10] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Sea Gals History (2007). [11] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ [12] Retrieved February 15, 2007.
- ^ Redskin Cheerleader History (2007). [13] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Georgia State Cheerleading (2007). [14] Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Sarah Shahi (2007). [15] Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Tatiana Anderson (2007). [16] Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Jenilee Harrison (2007). [17] Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Miss Florida USA (2007). [18] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Pageant History (2007). [19] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Angela King (2007). [20] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Angela King Designs (2007). [21] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Dr. Williams (2007). [22] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Debbie Barrigan (2007). [23] Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Miss Maryland USA (2007). [24] Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Mrs. America USA (2007). [25] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Pro Bowl Roster (2007). [26] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Pro Bowl Roster (2007). [27] Retrieved February 8, 2007.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Cincinnati Bengals Cheerleaders Official Site
- Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Official Site
- Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders Official Site
- Patriots Cheerleaders Official Site
- Philidelphia Eagles Cheerleaders Official Site
- Raiderettes Official Site
- San Fransisco Gold Rush Official Site
- Sea Gals Official Site
- Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Official Site
- NFL Cheerleader Playoffs
- [28]
- [29]
