Not Just Pretty Faces: The Mistreatment and Disrespect of NFL Cheerleaders
Looking into ridiculous rules, sexual harassment, and faults of the League in how they handle such cases
The National Football League has been around for centuries, gracing us with some of the most impressive talents in sporting history, from players such as Joe Montana, to Tom Brady, to Patrick Mahomes. Their skills have won them many Super Bowls, earned them numerous accolades and helped to recognize them among ‘greatest of all time’ conversations. Looking past the athletes, however, we are presented with the main women of the league: the cheerleaders. Keeping fans entertained during breaks with their synchronized choreography and high energy dancing, all with bright smiles on their faces, you would think they’re living a great life. They most likely make tons of money, are treated respectfully by those around them and see themselves in a positive manner, right? Well, all of that would be incorrect, and is something I feel is important to highlight when discussing women and sporting culture.
When first trying to understand the ins and outs of American football, I learned that cheerleaders are a main part of the game, or at least to the 24 teams that have them, as the other 8 currently do not. They are recognized by their outfits that coordinate with the team’s colors or theme, such as the Dallas Cowboys’ cheer squad and their iconic star-adorned white fringe tops. Some of the squads are even lucky enough to have their own name, such as Cincinnati’s Ben-Gals who represent the Bengals, and New York’s Flight Crew who represent the Jets.
Despite their best efforts to be treated as workers and make a living for their passion of dance and performing, however, the women of these cheer teams are often seen as more of sex objects than anything- the NFL is aware of this, of course. Why else would they be continuously put in revealing outfits despite grown adults online constantly making sexual comments towards them and uploading photos of them that highlight their upper chest and lower backside areas? It is ridiculous how many of these images one has to scroll through to actually find normal photos- me included, who just enjoys them for their outfits in said photos.
Through leaked documents, it has been revealed that certain teams prohibit wearing sweatpants in public and sticking to an ‘ideal diet’, something that is often the root cause of eating disorders. More specific rules include not sitting during games (the players are allowed benches, they aren’t), not having ‘dull hair’, and paying for their own uniforms out of pocket, which often costs more than the pay they are given in the first place. The most well known rule, however, is the one advising them not to date any players, which goes a step further than initially thought; it states they cannot talk to any player regardless of the topic, and if a player enters the same restaurant they are currently in, they are mandated to leave.
Payment is one of the larger issues regarding the cheerleaders, as once you see that the $1,250 an individual made in the 2013-14 season is nothing compared to the $65,000 a team’s mascot made, it can leave you scratching your head in confusion. Lawsuits pop up left and right, stemming from issues such as gender discrimination and lack of pay. One includes a former Buffalo Bill cheerleader- a ‘Buffalo Jill’ as they were called, before the team scrapped them in 2013-, who alleged she only earned $105 for an entire season, while her costume alone was over $600.
Going back to the topic of sexualization, it seems that the problem is all too common, especially regarding the officials of the NFL teams that are supposed to be looking out for their cheer squads. As recent as 2021, a complaint was made against former public relations head of the Dallas Cowboys, Richard Dalrymple, for secretly filming the women in their dressing room. The case was settled, and nearly $400,000 each went to the four ladies who reported the incident. It has also become more common for teams to now give their squads less revealing outfits, replacing short skirts with colorful leggings. By doing so, one of the biggest offenses in harassment for cheerleading, that being upskirting, is prevented.
Another recent example of disrespect came in the form of taunting. During the Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers 2024 playoff game, the Cowboys' cheerleaders alleged that in one instance, after a Packers player had scored a touchdown, their players would come over to the sidelines and yell in the faces of the cheer squad, seen as a form of taunting. The cheerleader who reported on the incident, Darian Lassiter, stated that she and her fellow girls were minding their business and simply doing part of their job- smiling, though the Packers players still verbally attacked them for no good reason, showcasing yet another example of cheerleaders being treated as objects rather than what they are, that being everyday people.
By showcasing these many examples, we can see that NFL cheerleaders have been disrespected in many forms, all of these instances showing clear mistreatment of some form to the women involved. Without anyone making a clear stance against their mistreatment besides the cheerleaders themselves, it can feel as though no one is paying attention to the struggles they are facing. However, by recognizing these women for what they are- hard workers that are dedicated to their craft, just as much as the football players themselves-, we are able to show them appreciation and that they are valued in their role as a cheerleader. Hopefully, as time continues, we will see more acknowledgment and appreciation towards cheerleading, in both the NFL and as a general profession.