National Football League Cheerleading or simply NFL Cheerleading, is a group of professional cheerleading organizations in the United States.[1] 24 of the 32 NFL teams include a cheerleading squad in their franchise.[2] In 1954, the Baltimore Colts became the first NFL team to have cheerleaders. They were part of Baltimore's Marching Colts.
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, 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.
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.
Listed by name, with corresponding NFL team.
| Current or Most Recent 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 | 1969–1976 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[3] | Chicago Bears | |
| Cincinnati Ben–Gals | 1976–present[4] | Cincinnati Bengals | |
| Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders | 1961–1971 CowBelles & Beaux 1972–present Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders[5] | Dallas Cowboys | |
| Denver Broncos Cheerleaders | 1971–1976 Bronco Belles 1977–1985 Pony Express 1993–present Denver Broncos Cheerleaders | Denver Broncos | |
| Detroit Lions Cheerleaders | 1963-1974[6] 2016–present Detroit Lions Cheerleaders[7] | Detroit Lions | |
| Green Bay Packers Cheerleaders | 1957–1961 Packerettes 1961–1972 Golden Girls 1973–1977 Packerettes[8] [9] 1977–1986 Sideliners[10] 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 | 1964 Chiefs Cheerleaders 1971-85 Chiefettes 1986–present Chiefs Cheerleaders[11] | Kansas City Chiefs | |
| Las Vegas Raiderettes | 1961–present[12] | Las Vegas Raiders | |
| Los Angeles Charger Girls | 1960s–70s Chargettes 1990–2016 San Diego Charger Girls 2017–2021 Los Angeles Charger Girls[13] | Los Angeles Chargers | |
| 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[14] | 1966–1977 Dolphin Dolls 1978–1983 Dolphins Starbrites 1984–present Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders | Miami Dolphins | |
| Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders | 1961–1963 Vi-Queens 1964–1965, 1967–1983 The Parkettes (St. Louis Park High School) 1966 Edina High School and Mpls Roosevelt High School 1984–present Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders | Minnesota Vikings | |
| New England Patriots Cheerleaders | 1977–present | New England Patriots | |
| New Orleans Saints Cheer Krewe | 1967 Louisiannes/Saints Dancers 1968 Mademoiselles 1971 Mam’selles 1975–78 Bonnies Amies 1978 Angels 1987–2021 Saintsations | New Orleans Saints | |
| New York Jets Flight Crew | Jet Set Rockettes 1966 - 1969 | ||
| Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders | 1948–1970s Eaglettes 1970s Liberty Belles 1986–present The Eagles Cheerleaders | Philadelphia Eagles | |
| Pittsburgh Steelerettes | 1960–1969[15] | Pittsburgh Steelers | |
| San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush | 1979–present[16] | San Francisco 49ers | |
| Seahawks Dancers | Sea Gals 1976–2019[17] Seahawks Dancers 2019–Present | Seattle Seahawks | |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders | 1976–1998 SwashBucklers 1999–present Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders[18] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |
| Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders | 1975–1997 The Derrick Dolls 1998–present Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders | Tennessee Titans | |
| Command Force | 1962-1997 Washington Redskins Cheerleaders "Redskinettes" 1998–2020 Washington Redskins Cheerleaders[19] [20] "First Ladies of Football"[21] 2021 Washington Entertainment Team 2022–present Command Force[22] | Washington Commanders |
As of 2023, eight teams do not have cheerleading squads: Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers do, however, use a collegiate squad to cheer at home games.[23] 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.[24]
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.[25]
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.
Glenn Welt was the first male to try out as an NFL cheerleader, doing so on May 20, 1978. The Miami Dolphins would not let him compete when he arrived at the Orange Bowl in Miami.[30] The incident later became a nationwide news story, led to a federal anti-discrimination case,[31] and was spoofed on a November 1979 episode of Mork & Mindy.[32] 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.[33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39]
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.[40]
In 2019, the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers[41] 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.[42]
In most situations, male cheerleaders are typically former college cheerleaders themselves, with a heavy emphasis on stunts and strength training.
In March 2022, Justine Lindsay, a transgender woman, made the Carolina Panthers, becoming the first openly transgender person to cheer in the NFL.[43]
There have been criticisms that NFL cheerleading is sexist, is objectifying women,[44] [45] [46] [47] exploitative,[48] and outdated.[49]
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.[50] [51] [52] [53] [54] Such injustices regarding the pay and employment treatment of NFL cheerleaders were highlighted in the 2019 documentary film .[55]
However, defenders and proponents of NFL Cheerleading have stated that cheerleading helps young women engage with the NFL at the most visible and prominent level,[56] provide the NFL with role models for its female fans,[57] and are a cost-effective way of promoting a team at events. 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."[47]
Male NFL cheerleaders have increased in the 2010s to help offset changing societal attitudes and concerns that NFL cheerleading was sexist.[42]
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.[58] They are picked by either their own squads or by the fans via Internet polling.