The Fascinating History of NFL Cheerleaders
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Cheerleading and football have long been synonymous ever since the Baltimore Colts became the first NFL team to have cheerleaders in 1954. Today, 26 of the 32 NFL teams have a cheerleading squad, with several proponents of the profession saying that it gives female fans a role model as well as helps young women engage in the sport.
However, recent controversies about cheerleader pay as well as sexism and harassment toward squad members have many questioning whether or not NFL cheerleading is outdated.
NFL Cheerleaders Fight for Equal Pay
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A domino effect of lawsuits started in 2014 with 90 former Oakland Raiders cheerleaders filing a class-action lawsuit for being paid less than minimum wage (about $125 per game day), for which they received a $1.25 million settlement. Then, cheerleaders for the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers followed suit. Then, a group of former cheerleaders filed against the NFL as a whole in 2017, alleging that there were stark differences between how cheerleaders and mascots were paid (ranging between $25,000 and $60,000 a year).
As of December 2020, 10 of the 26 NFL teams with cheerleaders had been sued. The documentary, "A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem," released in early 2021 uncovered a wide range of issues that NFL cheerleaders faced since those very first women stepped onto the Baltimore field. One of the most difficult details to learn: They were subjected to a weekly "jiggle test" to make sure every inch of their body was up to standard.
Today's Cheerleaders
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The good news? NFL cheerleaders are finally making minimum wage, between $15-$20 an hour ($500 per game) and up to $75,000 in yearly earnings. The addition of male cheerleaders to squads in the past decade has also helped try to offset some of the sexism associated with the sport.
Whatever your opinion about NFL cheerleading, the athletic abilities of these squad members deserve a moment in the spotlight. From the very first squad to the "America's Sweethearts" era of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, take a look at NFL cheerleading through the years.
Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Arizona Cardinals
Years active: 1964-present
Former names: St. Louis Cardinals Cheerleaders, Phoenix Cardinals Cheerleaders
Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Atlanta Falcons
Years active: 1969-present
Former name: The Falconettes
Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Baltimore Ravens
Years active: 1998-present
Former names: N/A
Buffalo Jills
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NFL team: Buffalo Bills
Years active: 1960-2013
Former names: Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders
Carolina Topcats
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NFL team: Carolina Panthers
Years active: 1995-present
Former names: N/A
Chicago Honey Bears
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NFL team: Chicago Bears
Years active: 1976-1985
Former names: N/A
Cincinnati Ben–Gals
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NFL team: Cincinnati Bengals
Years active: 1976-present
Former names: N/A
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Dallas Cowboys
Years active: 1961-present
Former names: CowBelles & Beaux
Denver Broncos Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Denver Broncos
Years active: 1971-1985, 1993-present
Former names: Bronco Belles, Pony Express
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Detroit Lions
Years active: 1963-1974, 2016-present
Former names: N/A
Green Bay Packers Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Green Bay Packers
Years active: 1957-present
Former names: Packerettes, Golden Girls, Sideliners, University of Wisconson-Green Bay (UWGB) cheerleaders, UWGB and St. Norbert College cheerleaders
Houston Texans Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Houston Texans
Years active: 2002-present
Former names: N/A
Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Years active: 1954-present
Former names: Baltimore Colts Cheerleaders
Jacksonville ROAR
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NFL team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Years active: 1995-present
Former names: N/A
Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Kansas City Chiefs
Years active: 1964, 1971-present
Former names: Chiefs Cheerleaders, Chiefettes
Las Vegas Raiderettes
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NFL team: Las Vegas Raiders
Years active: 1961-present
Former names: N/A
Los Angeles Charger Girls
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NFL team: Los Angeles Chargers
Years active: 1960s-70s, 1990-2021
Former names: Chargettes, San Diego Charger Girls
Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Los Angeles Rams
Years active: 1974-present
Former names: Embraceable Ewes, St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders
Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Miami Dolphins
Years active: 1966-present
Former names: Dolphin Dolls, Dolphins Starbrites
Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Minnesota Vikings
Years active: 1961-present
Former names: Vi-Queens, The Parkettes (St. Louis Park High School), Edina High School and Mpls Roosevelt High School
New England Patriots Cheerleaders
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NFL team: New England Patriots
Years active: 1977-present
Former names: N/A
New Orleans Saintsations
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NFL team: New Orleans Saints
Years active: 1967-1968, 1971, 1975-1978, 1987-present
Former names: Louisiannes/Saints Dancers, Mademoiselles, Mam'selles, Bonnies Amies, Angels
New York Jets Flight Crew
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NFL team: New York Jets
Years active: 2006-present
Former names: Jets Flag Crew
Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Philadelphia Eagles
Years active: 1948-1970s, 1986-present
Former names: Eaglettes, Liberty Belles
Pittsburgh Steelerettes
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NFL team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Years active: 1960-1969
Former names: N/A
San Francisco Gold Rush
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NFL team: San Francisco 49ers
Years active: 1979-present
Former names: N/A
Seahawks Dancers
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NFL team: Seattle Seahawks
Years active: 1976-present
Former names: Sea Gals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Years active: 1976-present
Former names: SwashBucklers
Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders
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NFL team: Tennessee Titans
Years active: 1975-present
Former names: The Derrick Dolls
Washington Entertainment Team
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NFL team: Washington Football Team
Years active: 1962-present
Former name: Redskinnettes, Washington Redskins Cheerleaders "First Ladies of Football"