NFL cheerleading
In 1954, the Baltimore Colts became the first National Football League team to field a cheerleading squad. This move transformed how fans experienced games on the sidelines of American football. Before that year, no professional football franchise employed women to dance and chant during matches. The Indianapolis Colts later adopted this tradition when they moved from Baltimore, but the original spark came in 1954 with the Baltimore organization. Twenty-five of today's thirty-two NFL teams now maintain active squads who perform during every home game. Only the New York Giants have never had a cheerleading group throughout their entire history. Other franchises like the Chicago Bears or Cleveland Browns once had squads before discontinuing them. These early groups focused primarily on cheering for the players and entertaining crowds between plays.
Team rosters changed names frequently over decades as franchises relocated or rebranded. The Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders operated under different titles including St. Louis Cardinals Cheerleaders from 1964 through 1987. Phoenix Cardinals Cheerleaders took over that role until 1993 when the current name emerged. The Buffalo Bills suspended operations of their official squad after legal disputes arose in 2013. An independent group called the Buffalo Jills filled the void from 1966 until that suspension ended their activities. In 2010, unofficial squads began forming for teams without official dancers. The Detroit Pride Cheerleaders launched in August 2010 to support the Lions despite lacking franchise recognition. They could not use team logos or colors but performed at tailgate parties and local events. Gotham City Cheerleaders formed in August 2011 to back all New York sports while associating closely with the Giants. These unofficial groups produced annual swimsuit calendars similar to official teams yet remained unsanctioned by the league. By 2016, the Lions finally created an official squad ending the need for the Pride group.
Glenn Welt tried out as a male NFL cheerleader on the 20th of May 1978, during a Miami Dolphins audition at the Orange Bowl. Team officials rejected his application immediately, sparking a nationwide news story about gender exclusion. A federal anti-discrimination case followed in U.S. District Court in Florida under Case number 78-5647. The incident inspired a spoof episode of Mork & Mindy in November 1979 featuring Robin Williams prancing onto a football field dressed as a woman. Plans for a CBS made-for-TV movie starring Williams collapsed after that broadcast misrepresented male cheerleaders broadly. Male stuntmen appeared first within the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders starting in 1998. The Dallas Cowboys introduced co-ed Rhythm & Blue Dancers in 2009 founded by Charlotte Jones and directed by Jenny Durbin Smith. This team performed hip-hop routines and stunts at every home game while creating the first NFL drum corp. By 2019, multiple franchises including the Seattle Seahawks added permanent male dancers to their rosters. Justine Lindsay became the first openly transgender person to join an NFL squad when she entered the Carolina Topcats in March 2022. The Minnesota Vikings faced national backlash in August 2025 after introducing two new male cheerleaders during preseason games.
The first Battle of the NFL Cheerleaders took place in Hollywood, Florida, during 1979. Two members from each team competed against mini-teams in events like kayaking, swimming, and jet skiing. The Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders won that inaugural title. Winners Shiona Baum and Jeannie Fritz received cars as grand prizes when the event moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1980. The competition returned in 2006 under the name NFL Cheerleader Playoffs taped between July 17 and July 21 at Six Flags New England. Twenty-five teams participated in a four-event series testing athletic ability through obstacle courses and tandem cycling. A trivia challenge called Know Your NFL tested knowledge before the final one-minute dance routine determined champions. San Diego Chargers players Casie and Shantel defeated Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams squads to claim overall victory with 210 points. Teams also performed for U.S. Armed Forces overseas through United Service Organizations tours. The San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush helicopter into Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War in 1996 alongside the U.S. Army. Eight Buffalo Bills cheerleaders traveled to Iraq in February 2007 accompanied by their choreographer to entertain troops stationed there.
Several cheerleaders sued their respective teams over violations of minimum wage laws and mistreatment from management. Exploitative rules and behaviors led to sexual harassment claims and groping incidents documented across multiple franchises. These injustices regarding pay and employment treatment gained national attention through the 2019 documentary film titled A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem. Dallas Cowboys brand officer Charlotte Jones Anderson acknowledged low pay levels but argued participation offered value beyond money. She stated members felt special and made a difference while being part of something bigger than themselves. Critics labeled the system sexist, objectifying women, exploitative, and outdated due to these conditions. Defenders countered that squads helped young women engage visibly with the league while providing role models for female fans. They described the groups as cost-effective ways to promote teams at various events. NFL spokesperson David Tossell defended the tradition in 2013 citing its long history across professional and amateur sports levels. He emphasized cheerleaders remained integral to game day experiences for fans attending matches nationwide.
Common questions
When did the Baltimore Colts become the first NFL team to field a cheerleading squad?
The Baltimore Colts became the first National Football League team to field a cheerleading squad in 1954. This move transformed how fans experienced games on the sidelines of American football before that year no professional football franchise employed women to dance and chant during matches.
Which NFL teams have never had an official cheerleading group throughout their history?
Only the New York Giants have never had a cheerleading group throughout their entire history. Other franchises like the Chicago Bears or Cleveland Browns once had squads before discontinuing them while the Green Bay Packers utilize collegiate squads from University of Wisconsin, Green Bay and St. Norbert College instead of professional dancers since 1987.
Who was the first openly transgender person to join an NFL squad and when did this occur?
Justine Lindsay became the first openly transgender person to join an NFL squad when she entered the Carolina Topcats in March 2022. The Minnesota Vikings faced national backlash in August 2025 after introducing two new male cheerleaders during preseason games following earlier changes to rosters.
Where and when did the first Battle of the NFL Cheerleaders take place?
The first Battle of the NFL Cheerleaders took place in Hollywood, Florida, during 1979. Two members from each team competed against mini-teams in events like kayaking, swimming, and jet skiing with winners Shiona Baum and Jeannie Fritz receiving cars as grand prizes when the event moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1980.
What documentary film brought attention to cheerleader pay violations and mistreatment in 2019?
These injustices regarding pay and employment treatment gained national attention through the 2019 documentary film titled A Woman's Work: The NFL's Cheerleader Problem. Several cheerleaders sued their respective teams over violations of minimum wage laws and mistreatment from management including sexual harassment claims and groping incidents documented across multiple franchises.