USA Today: No place in the NFL for cheerleaders in 2018

[edjr 5,562]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2018/04/18/nfl-cheerleaders-gender-discrimination-metoo-movement/527491002/

 

 

 

The Houston Texans aren’t even bothering with the pretense.

On their website is a photo gallery of the finalists from last weekend’s cheerleader tryouts, and visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorites. Are these action shots of the women that highlight their athletic ability or dance skills? Do they include a list of their qualifications?

Of course not. They’re headshots. Sorry, head and chest shots. Close-up ones, at that.

The better to ogle, you know.

Cheerleaders from two NFL teams have filed gender discrimination complaints in the past month, detailing the demeaning ways in which they were treated. Restrictions on what they can and can’t post on social media. Rules that prohibit contact with players, and put the onus on the women to avoid it. Dress codes.

Is it any wonder? The underlying premise of NFL cheerleaders is degrading, presenting women as nothing more than objects to be leered at. With skimpy, suggestive outfits as their “uniform,” their only purpose is to titillate.

It’s always been an appalling message to send and, in this #MeToo era, there’s no longer any place for it. NFL cheerleaders need to go. NBA dance squads and NHL ice girls while we’re at it, too.

This is not a criticism of cheerleading overall. In some forms, it very much is an athletic endeavor, a hybrid of acrobatics and gymnastics. The International Olympic Committee has even recognized cheerleading as a sport and it could some day make an appearance in the Games.

Proponents will say that most women who are NFL cheerleaders are professionally trained dancers who just want the opportunity to do what they love. That they play an important role in maintaining the team’s positive image with promotional appearances and community service.

All of which is true.

“I was always out in the community,” said Kristan Ann Ware, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader who has filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations alleging that she was discriminated against for talking about her faith and bullied after saying she was a virgin.

“If you take away the cheerleaders, you take away the glue. You take away the puzzle piece that brings football to life.”

But that isn’t the real reason 26 of the 32 NFL teams have cheerleaders, and everybody knows it. They’re there to be eye candy, blow-up dolls come to life.

Why else would the Dallas Cowboys mandate that women wear sports bras and hot pants for try outs – “No tank tops or bike shorts” – and include “personal appearance” and “figure” as criteria on which they are judged?

The Ben-Gals, who once generously granted a three-pound “leniency weight,” now say that “fitness is very important. You must be in good physical condition and proportioned for your height.” Whatever that means.

And, of course, almost every team with cheerleaders has its own swimsuit calendar, and many news media outlets, including USA TODAY Sports, publish cheerleader photos to generate reader interest.

“When you’re on the NFL team as a cheerleader, it’s like they have a sense of control over you,” Ware said. “It does teach women that your life doesn’t matter.

“We’re told from day one that all they need is a pretty girl in a uniform.”

The NFL has a long history of disregarding and demeaning women, only acknowledging them when it suits the league’s financial interests. Few teams have female executives, even fewer have female owners. Despite efforts at the league level to address domestic violence, owners mostly ignore it, disciplining or cutting players only when there’s a public outcry.

The objectification of cheerleaders is yet one more example.

Some owners understand that. Of the 32 teams, there are six – the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers – that don’t have cheerleaders. The Los Angeles Rams just added two men to their squad.

“Philosophically we have always had issues with sending scantily clad women out on the field to entertain our fans,” John Mara, the Giants co-owner, told the New York Times.

Good for Mara for speaking out. Too bad he said that eight years ago, and the rest of the league has not caught on.

 

 

 

Feminists are right at the top of the insane charts

 

 

 

 

 

Have to love Paul Joseph Watson's take on it.

 

 

 

of course his title is a complete lie, but what he has to say is true.

[dain11279 927]

 

 

Some owners understand that. Of the 32 teams, there are six – the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers – that don’t have cheerleaders. The Los Angeles Rams just added two men to their squad

 

WTF, like I need another reason to hate my team

[TimmySmith 2,782]

The continuing misogyny of the left under the guise of #metoo. Disgusting.

[fandandy 3,311]

Anything and everything that ever was in this country is wrong. You low brows prolly didn't know this.

[TBayXXXVII 2,116]

Some owners understand that. Of the 32 teams, there are six – the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers – that don’t have cheerleaders. The Los Angeles Rams just added two men to their squad

 

LOL... yeah, no coincidence that it's all cold weather areas with no domes. Shocking... isn't it?

[TimmySmith 2,782]

There are 2 types of cheerleaders, the rah rah type (must be hot), and the dance/gymnast type (also must be hot, but also agile). I know this because a friend's daughter (32B?, tiny girl) is a Raven's Cheerleader and they are dance, and the Redskins tried to poach her, but they are rah rah, pom-pon types.

[NorthernVike 2,080]

I think all cheerleaders should take two knees. And blow me.

[edjr 5,562]

I think all cheerleaders should take two knees. And blow me.

 

http://www.chilloutpoint.com/images/2009/march/ugly-cheerleaders/ugly-cheerleaders02.jpg

 

 

[Voltaire 4,557]

The real problem is A ) that they're paid so poorly and B ) they have to interact with drunk jerks who get handsy, disrespectful, and verbally abuse them.

[edjr 5,562]

they have to interact with drunk jerks who get handsy, disrespectful, and verbally abuse them.

 

Congress has cheerleaders?

 

Not sure where in an NFL stadium cheerleaders are close enough to be touched or hear fans

[Voltaire 4,557]

 

Congress has cheerleaders?

 

Not sure where in an NFL stadium cheerleaders are close enough to be touched or hear fans

This isn't just a USA Today harpy screeching about cheerleaders, I've been follwoing the story unfold over the course of a dozen stories or so at nytimes over the last month.

[edjr 5,562]

This isn't just a USA Today harpy screeching about cheerleaders, I've been follwoing the story unfold over the course of a dozen stories or so at nytimes over the last month.

No no no.

 

Where/when/how are NFL cheerleaders accosted by fans?

 

 

 

The real problem is A ) that they're paid so poorly and B ) they have to interact with drunk jerks who get handsy, disrespectful, and verbally abuse them.

[wiffleball 4,639]

As much as I want to be grumpy about this. In the stadium, they make very little sense.

 

Now, in the NBA, that's a whole nother story.

 

But it's a perfect example of the PC bitches ruining things for 98% of the women.

 

A lot of these women use this gig is a jumping off point for future dance careers and things of that nature . Not everybody gets to go to Broadway.

 

ABC finally did something that I've been thinking about for a while. These Hollywood bitches who simply change the color of their dress? Do you think it really changed any woman's life in the Midwest? And the answer they got resoundingly from across the country was, I don't have time to worry about that shyt.

 

Here's a thought. Skip just one of those award shows. It cost on average a woman 5 to $10,000 to go to one of those shows with hair and makeup and clothing and jewelry and shoes and changes of clothes and limos and etcetera.

 

#skipOne and donate the proceeds to a woman's shelter far from Hollywood.

 

What? And not go to my fifth party celebrating how wonderful I am? Unpossible!

[edjr 5,562]

As much as I want to be grumpy about this. In the stadium, they make very little sense.

 

Now, in the NBA, that's a whole nother story.

 

But it's a perfect example of the PC bitches ruining things for 98% of the women.

 

A lot of these women use this gig is a jumping off point for future dance careers and things of that nature . Not everybody gets to go to Broadway.

 

ABC finally did something that I've been thinking about for a while. These Hollywood bitches who simply change the color of their dress? Do you think it really changed any woman's life in the Midwest? And the answer they got resoundingly from across the country was, I don't have time to worry about that shyt.

 

Here's a thought. Skip just one of those award shows. It cost on average a woman 5 to $10,000 to go to one of those shows with hair and makeup and clothing and jewelry and shoes and changes of clothes and limos and etcetera.

 

#skipOne and donate the proceeds to a woman's shelter far from Hollywood.

 

What? And not go to my fifth party celebrating how wonderful I am? Unpossible!

 

 

Without NBA dancers/cheerleaders, the world would have never heard of Paul Abdul. Is that a world you would ever want to live in? Not me!

[wiffleball 4,639]

 

 

Without NBA dancers/cheerleaders, the world would have never heard of Paul Abdul. Is that a world you would ever want to live in? Not me!

You know how it is with these lamebrain liberal movements.

 

One step forward. Two steps back.

[Voltaire 4,557]

No no no.

 

Where/when/how are NFL cheerleaders accosted by fans?

 

 

 

Alright, I'll go turn on my VPN and hunt down some of the stories in the NYT series I've been reading.

[edjr 5,562]

Alright, I'll go turn on my VPN and hunt down some of the stories in the NYT series I've been reading.

 

Oh, you were saying the NYT had stories of this happening. Gotcha.

 

Doesn't get more liberal than the NYT, but I know NFL players have been accosted while walking through the tunnel at half time, or after a game.

 

BAN THE NFL!

[fandandy 3,311]

There are 2 types of cheerleaders, the rah rah type (must be hot), and the dance/gymnast type (also must be hot, but also agile). I know this because a friend's daughter (32B?, tiny girl) is a Raven's Cheerleader and they are dance, and the Redskins tried to poach her, but they are rah rah, pom-pon types.

Another thing is they hate to be mistook for the other. My nephews wife was and helps coach the dance type and I once called her a cheerleader.

 

Uh-Uh

[wiffleball 4,639]

Some of these Libruhl kvnts are too stupid to figure out that they're actually fighting for the that we're fighting against allegedly in other countries. They're not going be happy until women are wearing burquas in workplaces and public spaces free of men.

 

Good luck with that. Especially when a hundred million American women want to be a Kardashian or Ariana Grande.

[edjr 5,562]

Ariana Grande.

She has talent though.

[Voltaire 4,557]

 

Oh, you were saying the NYT had stories of this happening. Gotcha.

 

Doesn't get more liberal than the NYT, but I know NFL players have been accosted while walking through the tunnel at half time, or after a game.

 

BAN THE NFL!

https://www.nytimes.com/search/cheerleaders/best

 

They've five stories in the series so far, looks like the #4 one at that link is the most relevant.

[edjr 5,562]

https://www.nytimes.com/search/cheerleaders/best

 

They've five stories in the series so far, looks like the #4 one at that link is the most relevant.

 

Did you know they are not FORCED to be cheerleaders? They are not part of some secret cheerleader trafficking ring.

 

you should read up on girls that do ballet and the sh1t they put their bodies through to keep their jobs.

 

Where is the NYT article on that?

[wiffleball 4,639]

https://www.nytimes.com/search/cheerleaders/best

 

They've five stories in the series so far, looks like the #4 one at that link is the most relevant.

I don't know the rules. But strippers are Ind contractors. They still have certain rules. Just Do that.

 

What they don't get is if they're too much trouble- fock it. No cheerleaders.

Solved.

[NorthernVike 2,080]

 

http://www.chilloutpoint.com/images/2009/march/ugly-cheerleaders/ugly-cheerleaders02.jpg

 

 

Good lord man.

[Voltaire 4,557]

 

Did you know they are not FORCED to be cheerleaders? They are not part of some secret cheerleader trafficking ring.

 

you should read up on girls that do ballet and the sh1t they put their bodies through to keep their jobs.

 

Where is the NYT article on that?

Don't shoot the messenger. I'd be proud if my daughters became cheerleaders.

 

I've told this story before, maybe two years ago. My eldest daughter was selected as the fairy princess in her dance troupe; the center of attention wearing the crown and the green/blue while the rest of the troupe wore the blue/green. She also got a bunch of extra one-on-one lessons for free with the dance instructor. And the competition for fairy princess was clearly weighted in her favor as there were 4-5 girls in the troupe who were consistently better than her all year, my daughter's talent level had been more along the lines of the top of tier two. She did have one advantage though (her looks) which wasn't lost on the other girls and parents.

[edjr 5,562]

Don't shoot the messenger. I'd be proud if my daughters became cheerleaders.

 

I've told this story before, maybe two years ago. My eldest daughter was selected as the fairy princess in her dance troupe; the center of attention wearing the crown and the green/blue while the rest of the troupe wore the blue/green. She also got a bunch of extra one-on-one lessons for free with the dance instructor. And the competition for fairy princess was clearly weighted in her favor as there were 4-5 girls in the troupe who were consistently better than her all year, my daughter's talent level had been more along the lines of the top of tier two. She did have one advantage though (her looks) which wasn't lost on the other girls and parents.

 

[Big Guy 1,400]

The real problem is A ) that they're paid so poorly and B ) they have to interact with drunk jerks who get handsy, disrespectful, and verbally abuse them.

 

True but just like those who are worried about players getting head injuries, etc. they play at their own risk, nobody's forcing them.

[Big Guy 1,400]

Feminists are right at the top of the insane charts

 

 

 

 

 

Have to love Paul Joseph Watson's take on it.

 

 

 

of course his title is a complete lie, but what he has to say is true.

 

Spot on, even though I'm not a fan of his video style.

[jerryskids 5,192]

There are 2 types of cheerleaders, the rah rah type (must be hot), and the dance/gymnast type (also must be hot, but also agile). I know this because a friend's daughter (32B?, tiny girl) is a Raven's Cheerleader and they are dance, and the Redskins tried to poach her, but they are rah rah, pom-pon types.

 

True. Around here, the Suns (and Rattlers, Arena league) are dance, whereas the Cards are rah rah. TBH the Cards cheerleaders are pretty worthless, other than to have something in a push-up bra to ogle. If they disappeared I wouldn't really care.

 

The Suns is where the top dancers in the area audition. It is considered quite an accomplishment in our dance community to be on that team.

[wiffleball 4,639]

I have had a change of heart when it comes to pay for the cheerleaders.

 

I mean, they might as well not even be paid at all. It's nuts. However:

 

Talk to any stand-up. Any actress. They work for little or nothing just to get on stage. Some, for attention.Others? For the exposure/resume.

 

Its not like they couldn't make a shipload more working at Hooters.

[Strike 3,963]

 

Did you know they are not FORCED to be cheerleaders? They are not part of some secret cheerleader trafficking ring.

 

you should read up on girls that do ballet and the sh1t they put their bodies through to keep their jobs.

 

Where is the NYT article on that?

 

Nailed it.