National Football League Cheerleading, or simply NFL Cheerleading, is a professional cheerleading league in the United States. For many NFL teams, their franchise also includes a cheerleading squad. Cheerleaders are a popular attraction that can give a team more coverage/airtime, popular local support and increased media image. For the NFL, The Baltimore Colts were the first team in the NFL to have cheerleaders in 1954. They were also a part of the Baltimore Colts Marching Band.
According to most NFL cheerleading sites, cheerleading is classified as a part-time job. However, this "part-time" job is a substantial 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 U.S. 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. In February 2007, the Buffalo Bills even sent a squad of 8 along with their choreographer into the war zone of Iraq.
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.
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 They existed as the Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders from 1960-1965 | Buffalo Bills |
| Carolina Topcats | 1996 | Carolina Panthers |
| Chicago Honey Bears | 1976-1985 Virginia McCaskey (Daughter of George Halas) fired the Honey Bears. Their contract was not renewed for the 1985 season becoming the "Curse of the Honey Bears" | Chicago Bears |
| Cincinnati Ben-Gals[1] | 1976 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders | 1960[2] | Dallas Cowboys |
| Denver Broncos Cheerleaders | 1977 | Denver Broncos |
| Green Bay Packers cheerleaders Green Bay Packerettes Golden Girls Sideliners |
Packerettes 1950s Golden Girls 1961-1972 Packerettes 1973-1977[3][4] Sideliners 1977-1986[5] |
Green Bay Packers |
| Houston Texans Cheerleaders | 2002 | Houston Texans |
| Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders | 1984 (1954-1983 Baltimore Colts Cheerleaders) | Indianapolis Colts |
| Jacksonville ROAR | 1995 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders | 1960s[6] | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Miami Dolphins Starbrights | 1966[7] | 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 |
| Jets Flight Crew | Jets Flag Crew 2006 Jets Flight Crew 2007 - Present |
New York Jets |
| Oakland Raiderettes | 1961[8] | Oakland Raiders |
| Pittsburgh Steelerettes | 1960-1969[9] | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders | 1948 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders (f.k.a. Embraceable Ewes) | 1974 Established in Los Angeles | St. Louis Rams |
| San Diego Charger Girls | 1990[10] | San Diego Chargers |
| San Francisco Gold Rush | 1979 (as a coed squad before becoming an all-girl squad in 1983[11] | San Francisco 49ers |
| Seattle Sea Gals | 1976[12] | Seattle Seahawks |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders (formerly the SwashBucklers from 1976-1999) |
1976[13] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders
(formerly The Derrick Dolls from 1975-1999) |
1975 | Tennessee Titans |
| Washington Redskins Cheerleaders (f.k.a. Redskinettes) | 1962[14] | Washington Redskins |
* Ravens Cheerleading Squad is technically a Co-ed Stunt and All-Female Dance squad.
The following NFL teams have never had cheerleaders during their respective histories:
Notable cheerleaders
Arizona Cardinals
- Danielle Demski, Miss Arizona USA, 2004
- Phyllis Smith, actress on The Office (during the team's St. Louis days)
Atlanta Falcons
- Nicole Duncan, Georgia State University Cheerleading Coach[15]
- Whitney Frink, Hollywood TV Producer
- Tiffany Fallon, Playboy Playmate of the Year 2005
Baltimore Ravens
- Stacy Keibler, former professional WWE wrestler
- Molly Shattuck
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
- Shaune Bagwell, model and jewelry designer
- Lezlie Deane, actress, founder of techno group Fem2fem
- Tina Gayle, actress, CHiPs TV Series (1982-1983)
- Bonnie-Jill Laflin, actress/model
- Michelle Parma, actress, MTV's Road Rules: Europe. She died in a car accident in Texas on October 19, 2002
- Sarah Shahi, (1999-2000),[16] actress, plays Carmen on The L Word, second season. Most recently on NBC's "Life"
- Jill Marie Jones, actress, plays Toni On Girlfriends
- Kristin Holt, television personality, entertainment news correspondent
- Starr Spangler, winner, The Amazing Race 13
- Melissa Rycroft, ABC's Dancing with the Stars contestant and Winner then runner-up on The Bachelor Season 13
Denver Broncos
- Katee Doland, Miss Colorado USA 2001
- Tatiana Anderson, Host of ESPN'S TV show Kiana's Flex Appeal[17]
Kansas City Chiefs
- Krazy George Henderson (1975–1979)
Miami Dolphins
- Jaime Faith Edmondson
- Shannon Ford, Miss Florida USA 2002[18]
- Suzy Tavarez, On-Air Personality, LA radio station KIIS-FM
- Brittany Freeman, Miss New Hampshire Teen USA 2004.[19]
- Fabiola Romero, Original member of the FSU Cowgirls[20]
- Nadia Turner Season 4 American Idol contestant
- Mireya Mayor, National Geographic Wildlife Correspondent and History Channel's "Expedition:Africa" Wildlife Expert and Explorer.
- Jaime & Cara, contestants from The Amazing Race in 2009.
New England Patriots
- Kristin Gauvin, Miss Massachusetts 2005[21]
- Alysha Castonguay, Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2002, Miss Rhode Island USA 2009
Oakland/Los Angeles Raiderettes
- Danielle Gamba, Playboy Cyber Girl of the Month, October 2004.
- Jennifer (Jenn) Grijalva, actress, MTV's The Real World (season 18).
- Anjelah Johnson, standup comedian.
- Kiana Tom, TV fitness instructor, model & actress.
- Erica Arana, model, television host, and philanthropist
Los Angeles Rams (before move to St. Louis)
- Lisa Guerrero, (1980s) American sports broadcaster, actress, model
- Jenilee Harrison,[22] (1978-1980), actress, Three's Company
San Diego Chargers
- Charisma Carpenter, actress, played Cordelia Chase on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and had the same role in the long lived spin-off Angel
San Francisco Gold Rush
- Angela King-Twitero, author of The Business of Professional Cheerleading,[23] and dance costume designer (eight NFL Cheerleading teams wear her designs)[24]Angela transitioned from cheerleader to director of the Gold Rush Cheerleaders, and lead the team from 1992-1997. She also was the founding co-director of the NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleaders from 1992-1997.
- Teri Hatcher, actress
Tennessee Titans
- Dr. Monica Williams, Vanderbilt University cancer research fellow[25]
Washington Redskins Cheerleaders
- Debbie Barrigan (1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001), Blast! dance troupe member[26]
- Michaé Holloman, (2002-07 ), Miss Maryland USA 2007[27]
- Kristianna Nichols, Mrs. America 1992[28]
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.
References
- ^ Cincinnati Ben-Gals
- ^ Cheerleaders History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Green Bay Packerettes, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Retrieved September 21, 2007
- ^ Ex-Packers cheerleader writes winning slogan for fence, September 9, 2007, Retrieved September 21, 2007
- ^ Legends on Parade to highlight Packers' Glory Years, Green Bay Press-Gazette, August 24, 2007, Retrieved September 21, 2007
- ^ Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Miami Cheerleaders History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Oakland Raiderettes History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Steelerettes History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Charger Girls History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ ) Gold Rush History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Sea Gals History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ www.buccaneers.com Retrieved February 15, 2007.
- ^ Redskin Cheerleader History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Georgia State Cheerleading (2007) Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Sarah Shahi (2007) Retrieved February 9, 2007
- ^ Tatiana Anderson (2007) Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Miss Florida USA (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ "Brittany's Scrapbook". Miami Dolphins. http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/cheerleaders/cheerleaders_scrapbook.asp?cheer_id=99. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Pageant History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Jenilee Harrison (2007) Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Angela King (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Angela King Designs (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Dr. Williams (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ Debbie Barrigan (2007) Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Miss Maryland USA (2007) Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ Mrs. America USA (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
See also
External links
- New York Jets Flight Crew official site
- Denver Broncos Cheerleaders official site
- Buffalo Jills official site
- Cincinnati Bengals Cheerleaders official site
- Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders official site
- Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders official site
- Patriots Cheerleaders official site
- Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders official site
- Raiderettes official site
- Saint Louis Rams Cheerleaders official site
- San Francisco Gold Rush official site
- Sea Gals official site
- Washington Redskins Cheerleaders official site
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