| So there's tons of cheerleaders out there dancing | | | | typically, you'd have better luck getting to know |
| on the field and we never bother to get to know | | | | the football stars as a janitor cleaning their locker |
| them. All we do is just stare at them dancing, | | | | rooms or being some sort of groupie. |
| think 'oh they dance good, look good, typical | | | | Cheerleaders going out with the likes of Tom |
| cheerleaders' and move on without a thought as | | | | Brady and Randy Moss? Forget about it. |
| to what really goes behind the scenes of an NFL | | | | Myth: NFL Cheerleaders rack in the fame and |
| cheerleader. Well, I am here to tell you that there | | | | fortune |
| is a lot more than meets the eye. All those | | | | How much do cheerleaders get paid in the NFL? |
| movies you saw like "Bring it On" and those | | | | The answer to that question is $15 to $50 a |
| television shows that showed a bunch of drama | | | | game. Heck, there are times when they don't get |
| queens as cheerleaders have got it all wrong. | | | | paid at all. They have to show up at guest |
| Myth #1 - It's easy being an NFL cheerleader. | | | | appearance, photo shoots, overseas |
| Um. No. There is no way that it is easy being a | | | | performances for US troops and all of that is |
| cheerleader. So much goes into the auditions, that | | | | most likely unpaid. Don't feel too bad for them. |
| you're lucky to even make it into the squad in the | | | | Some of them get out of cheerleading and find |
| first place. Hundreds of girls try out and you have | | | | that a bunch of opportunities await them because |
| to be in the top 3% to make it in the squad, no | | | | of their NFL cheerleading elite status. Teri Hatcher |
| kidding. They all dance good, look good, are | | | | from Desperate Housewives was a San Francisco |
| energetic, enthusiastic, and have a great | | | | 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleader once and look |
| personality on top of all that. After they get into | | | | where she is now. Making $285,000 an episode |
| the squad, it takes hours of practice almost | | | | and multiply that by 10+ episodes per season. |
| every day in order to get the NFL dancing | | | | Now who wants to be an NFL cheerleader? |
| routines down. It gets worse when they have to | | | | Myth: NFL Cheerleaders are stupid and act like |
| dance in the freezing cold, especially in the | | | | valley girls |
| northern States (which some NFL teams use as | | | | Yes, NFL cheerleaders are hot but who said you |
| an excuse for not having a cheerleading team and | | | | can't combine beauty with brains? People tend to |
| yes not every NFL team has a cheerleading | | | | associate cheerleaders with light-headed valley girls |
| squad). Outside of the dances, they also have to | | | | who enjoy going shopping and being the drama |
| show up for charity events, make guest | | | | queens. Well these cheerleaders aren't in high |
| appearances, do photo shoots, and sometimes | | | | school anymore for one thing. Another thing is |
| even travel overseas to entertain our very own | | | | that these cheerleaders need to be mature and |
| US military troops to keep their morale high. | | | | intelligent so that they can answer to the media. |
| Whoever said being a cheerleader was easy | | | | After all, they are an important aspect of the |
| obviously hasn't seen one at work. | | | | team's public image. |
| Myth: NFL Cheerleaders get to meet football stars | | | | NFL cheerleaders deserve a better reputation. |
| and date them | | | | Sure there are a few black sheep out there but |
| Absolutely not. NFL Cheerleaders are not allowed | | | | in general, the NFL cheerleaders are good girls |
| to "fraternize" with the players. That means no | | | | who do their best to perform for us. The least |
| flirting, no personal relationships, no personal | | | | we could do is show our appreciation. Don't forget |
| "friendships", or anything that might imply a | | | | they also contribute to the community in various |
| relationship outside of the professional realm of | | | | charity events so they do help out on a local and |
| the NFL. Yes, they can interact a little bit at | | | | national level. Let's show our support for them |
| charity events and guest appearances but | | | | and give them the credit they deserve. |