National Football League Cheerleading
National Football League Cheerleading, or simply NFL Cheerleading, is a professional cheerleading organization in the United States. 25 of the 32 NFL teams include a cheerleading squad in their franchise. Cheerleaders are a popular attraction that can give a team more coverage/airtime, popular local support, and increased media image. In 1954, the Baltimore Colts became the first NFL team to have cheerleaders. They were part of the Baltimore Colts Marching Band.
Most NFL cheerleading squads are 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. 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 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 and the San Francisco 49ers.
Cheerleader competitions
The first "Battle of the NFL Cheerleaders" was held in 1979 in Hollywood, Florida. Two cheerleaders from each cheerleading team compete against other mini-teams in various athletic events. The events include kayaking, 100 yard dash, obstacle courses, and other events. The Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders took home the title in 1979. In 1980, it was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey and the Washington Redskinettes were the champions. The winners were Shiona Baum and Jeannie Fritz, and each received a car as the grand prize. The competition was resurrected in 2006 by the NFL Network, and was called NFL Cheerleader Playoffs. The playoffs were taped between July 17 and July 21, 2006 at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts. Two-person teams of cheerleaders from 25 of the NFL's 32 teams participated in a four-event series of competitions. The first two events tested the cheerleaders' athletic abilities in events like the 100-yard dash, kayaking, tandem cycling, and the obstacle course. The third event was a trivia challenge called "Know Your NFL." The final competition was a one-minute dance routine, similar to what they normally perform on NFL sidelines. The San Diego Chargers team (Casie and Shantel) defeated the Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams squads to win the overall championship. The 3 teams finished in a three-way tie, with 210 points. The Chargers were declared the winners based on winning the dance competition.
Teams
Listed by name, with corresponding NFL football team.
| Current or Last Name | Year Established and Former Names | NFL Team |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders | 1964–1987 St. Louis Cardinals Cheerleaders 1988–1993 Phoenix Cardinals Cheerleaders 1994–present Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders |
Arizona Cardinals |
| Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders | 1960s-1976 The Falconettes 1976–present Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders |
Atlanta Falcons |
| Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders | 1998–present | Baltimore Ravens |
| Buffalo Jills | 1960-1965 Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders 1966-2013 Buffalo Jills |
Buffalo Bills |
| Carolina Topcats | 1995–present | Carolina Panthers |
| Chicago Honey Bears | 1976–1985[1] | Chicago Bears |
| Cincinnati Ben–Gals | 1976–present[2] | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders | 1960s–1971 CowBelles & Beaux 1972–present Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders[3] |
Dallas Cowboys |
| Denver Broncos Cheerleaders | 1971-1976 Bronco Belles 1977-1980 Pony Express 1993–present Denver Broncos Cheerleaders |
Denver Broncos |
| Green Bay Packers Cheerleaders | late 1950s–1961 Packerettes 1961–1972 Golden Girls 1973–1977 Packerettes [4][5] 1977–1986 Sideliners [6] 1987–2006 University of Wisconsin–Green Bay cheerleaders 2007–present UWGB and St. Norbert College cheerleaders |
Green Bay Packers |
| Houston Texans Cheerleaders | 2002–present | Houston Texans |
| Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders | 1954–1983 Baltimore Colts Cheerleaders 1984–present Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders |
Indianapolis Colts |
| Jacksonville ROAR | 1995–present | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders | 1960s Chiefs Cheerleaders 1970s Chiefettes 1980s–present Chiefs Cheerleaders[7] |
Kansas City Chiefs |
| Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders | 1974-1994 Embraceable Ewes 1995-2015 St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders 2016–present Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders |
Los Angeles Rams |
| Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders[8] | 1966–1977 Dolphin Dolls 1978–1983 Dolphins Starbrites 1984–present Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders |
Miami Dolphins |
| Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders | 1961–1963 Vi-Queens 1964–1983 The Parkettes (St. Louis Park High School) 1984–present Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders |
Minnesota Vikings |
| New England Patriots Cheerleaders | 1977–present | New England Patriots |
| New Orleans Saintsations | 1967 Louisiannes/Saints Dancers 1968 Mademoiselles 1971 Mam’selles 1975-78 Bonnies Amies 1978 Angels 1987–present Saintsations |
New Orleans Saints |
| New York Jets Flight Crew | 2006 Jets Flag Crew 2007–present Jets Flight Crew |
New York Jets |
| Oakland Raiderettes | 1961–present[9] | Oakland Raiders |
| Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders | 1948–1970s Eaglettes 1970s Liberty Belles 1980s–present The Eagles Cheerleaders |
Philadelphia Eagles |
| Pittsburgh Steelerettes | 1960–1969 [10] | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| San Diego Charger Girls | 1960s-70s Chargettes 1990–present Charger Girls[11] |
San Diego Chargers |
| San Francisco Gold Rush | 1979–present[12] | San Francisco 49ers |
| Seattle Sea Gals | 1976–present[13] | Seattle Seahawks |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders |
1976–1998 SwashBucklers 1999–present Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders[14] |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders | 1975–1997 The Derrick Dolls 1998–present Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders |
Tennessee Titans |
| Washington Redskins Cheerleaders | 1962 Redskinettes 1963–present Washington Redskins Cheerleaders[15][16] |
Washington Redskins |
Teams without cheerleaders
As of 2015, seven teams do not have cheerleading squads: Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The February 2011 meeting of the Packers and Steelers at Super Bowl XLV was the first time a Super Bowl featured no cheerleaders. The Packers do, however, use a collegiate squad to cheer at home games.[17]
The Buffalo Bills endorsed the officially independent Buffalo Jills from 1966 to 2013; when several cheerleaders sued both the Jills and the Bills organizations, the Jills suspended operations.[18]
Teams of "unofficial" cheerleaders began emerging in 2010 for NFL teams that don't have their own dance squad. These unofficial cheerleaders aren't 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.[19] However, as the squad is not officially recognized by the Lions, it cannot use the Lions logos nor colors.[20]
- 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.[21]
- The Cleveland Spirit Cheerleaders were created in September 2012 to support the Browns as a test team to attract fan interest.[20] This cheer team was created by the same people responsible for the Detroit Pride.[22]
Pro Bowl
A top honor for an NFL Cheerleader is to be selected as a Pro Bowl Cheerleader. The group is composed of an all-star cheerleader (one from each NFL cheer team) that represents her NFL team at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. 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.[23]
See also
References
- ↑ "Chicago Honey Bears.net". Chicago Honey Bears.net. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ Cincinnati Ben-Gals
- ↑ Dallas Cheerleaders History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007. Archived February 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ 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. Archived February 6, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders History (2010) Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ↑ Oakland Raiderettes History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007. Archived September 8, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Steelerettes History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ↑ Charger Girls History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007. Archived February 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Gold Rush History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ↑ Sea Gals History (2007) Retrieved February 8, 2007. Archived January 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ www.buccaneers.com Retrieved February 15, 2007.
- ↑ Cheerleader History Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ↑ Archived January 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Plaschke, Bill (2011-01-27). "No Super Bowl cheerleaders? He says rah!". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
- ↑ http://bigstory.ap.org/article/buffalo-bills-cheerleaders-halt-season-after-suit
- ↑ Pumerantz, Zack (2011-10-09). "Detroit Lions Cheerleaders: The Hottest Pics of the Detroit Pride". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- 1 2 "Top 6 NFL Teams Without Cheerleaders". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
- ↑ Benton, Dan (2012-09-24). "Meet the Gotham City Cheerleaders, Unofficial Dancers for All New York Sports". Giants 101. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ↑ Bonchak, Jean (2012-09-27). "Cleveland Spirit cheerleaders coming to Browns Town". The News-Herald. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ↑ "Pro Bowl Cheerleaders". National Football League. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
External links
- NFL Cheerleaders on Football Babble
Team websites
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