The history of the NFL cheerleaders dates back to the 1960s, when the Baltimore Colts (now the Indianapolis Colts) formed their own cheerleading squad. It was the first team to have an official cheer squad from every other NFL team. Some other teams also decided to have their own cheerleaders. NFL cheerleaders were nothing like what they are today, but when Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders appeared in their revealing outfits and dance routines, cheerleaders became incredibly popular in sports entertainment.
The Dallas Cowboys manager knew that women could play an important role in promoting his team and its public image. First he tried to put some models on the field for the audience. The models couldn’t survive the heat during the games and turned out to be a flop in terms of entertaining sports fans. Determined to make his idea work, the Dallas Cowboys manager thought of an entirely new concept at the time. This concept was to lead athletic dancers to perform choreographed routines on the sidelines. He held auditions where women were selected for their dance skills, looks, and style. The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders were formed and the team brought their custom-made uniforms and dance routines to the field. Sports fans loved this, and NFL cheerleaders exploded in popularity at Super Bowl X, where millions of Americans sitting at home saw a glimpse of these newborn stars on television.
With their complex dance routines and cute looks, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders created the new face of the NFL cheerleaders. More NFL teams decided to take on their own cheerleading squad to increase their team’s exposure to the public and the media. The last NFL cheerleading team to form was the “New York Flight Crew” (formed in 2007) that cheer on the New York Jets. With this surge in popularity, cheerleaders made guest appearances on television shows, paid events, charity events, and also overseas performances for US military troops. NFL cheerleaders greatly contributed to the NFL’s public image as the media began to acknowledge their presence.
NFL cheerleaders were no longer just dancers on the field, but they also participated off the field to enhance the public image of NFL teams. Although the stereotype of cheerleaders is that of a naive dancer, keep in mind that they actually contribute to the community as well as sophisticated entertainers in the field of sports entertainment.
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