Don't Hate Them 'Cause They're Beautiful

Cheerleaders sometimes get a bad rap.

And I completely understand why. I've been on 'both sides.' I have been a TOTAL geek all my life. I got coke bottle glasses in second grade and that was the end of my life to me. Ask anyone from my high school (think Hillary Clinton's college pictures).

But somehow, through a love of dance, contact lenses and the wonders of hair-highlighting to tame the frizz..... I became a Washington Redskins Cheerleader for three years (about 14 or so years ago...).

Sometimes, other women would not be very nice to me. And it was very upsetting because I spent my whole life trying to have some social skills, trying to get my hair to not be an ugly frizz ball, and trying to get maybe one guy to ask me out (never really happened until college). And someone who doesn't know me doesn't like me because I dance for the Washington Redskins??? Very few of us NFL cheerleaders were just born looking good enough to get out on a field in a costume and dance. It's a lot of work (ever see MIss Congeniality? there's something to that movie!!)

Not much in life is ever how it appears.

I know you are skeptical.....I do understand the cheerleader stereotype. In High School we did have one snotty cheerleader. But there were at least 14 others who were the nicest girls in the entire school. I only wish I had half the gymnastic skills and social skills they had back in High School. I'm not sure why we always default to that one "bad" cheerleader. But we do.

Friday night I went to volunteer at a fundraiser at a restaurant/pub in Virginia with the Alumni Cheerleaders. The event had two current Washington Redskins Cheerleaders there.

I'm not sure I've ever seen two more GORGEOUS women. I was speechless. One (Brittany) was so tall and so well endowed, I was actually scared of her at first!

Here's me with Brittany (left) and Chelsea (right)

Wait - they are clothed there -- earlier in the evening it was more like this.
Tell me, hard as you tried, did your body ever look this good even when you were 18???

Hate them if you must, but these two women spent hours in front of everyone smiling, signing autographs, then just shaking pom-poms during the Firefighter auction.

I'm sure they had much more fun things to do on a Friday night - but darn of both Brittney and Chelsea didn't work as hard as anyone else at the event. And hang out a bit afterwards. They practice hours each week. They spend an entire weekend day at the game. And they travel hours in metro traffic to get to appearances. (all with only small monetary compensation for games and some appearances).

I can say from experience, their family, friends and their full time jobs (or school) get the very short end of the stick.

But the Firefighters raised over $15,000 last Friday night for the People's Burn Foundation sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society (FOOLS).

And how can you hate that?

Cheers! Heidi

Comments

But have I got a question for you....and I'd really appreciate a thoughtful answer on this with an explaination of why:

"Do you think Cheerleaders are athletic?"

It's a question my g/f and I have had for a while now. I'd LOVE your imput, given you have now been on both sides.

Thanks so much!

- B

huh - 'are cheerleaders athletic' ??

(g/f -- meaning girl who is a friend? or are you a guy?)

Very good question. Often asked. I even saw it mentioned (negatively) in a 'why we hate cheerleaders' list today on the internet.

I have thought about it a LOT over the years - ever since in high school they had to bend rules to get cheerleaders and dance teams as "lettered athletics"

But, the teams practiced just as much, if not more. And had a longer 'season.'
And competed with each other, often.

If anyone who is 'not athletic' can dance/cheer for two hours in a row, I'd sure be interested.

Yes, cheerleaders are athletic. Most cheerleading teams and dance driven NFL cheerleaders have some amazing stunts that I have never been able to do.

I say: back-hand-spring = athletic.

But, if you really question it - or someone you know does, invite them to go out for their local NFL Cheerleader tryouts. And report back for fun!

Cheers!

You'd never know it today, but I was on the dance team in High School. We practiced a lot. I always thought it was interesting that I could keep up with the girls who played sports when we lifted weights and ran in gym class. I think girls who have to learn and preform a new routine every week ARE athletic because they're using a variety of different muscles all the time. Girls who play volleyball and basketball are athletic no doubt, but they're using the same muscles to do the same practiced things time and again. Cheerleaders aren't considered athletic because their job is to make what they do look easy.

Cheerleaders in HighSchool and Prof Cheerleaders are two different breeds dont you agree?

The Prof are into it as a sport of sorts...so yes they are athletic... in every meaning of the word..they have to work out an stay in shape just like any sports player, and they have to practice and put in many hours doing their jobs well...

Now High School...that is a total social thing...I found most were either trying to fit into the 'In Crowd' or were already in the 'In Crowd' and were into cheering because that is what was expected of them....kinda of a sad bunch of girls, as I remember them.

I think cheerleaders are awesome they are pretty and really outgoing....

What do the Redskin cheerleaders eat? They all look like Barbie Dolls. I just want to lose 30 lbs. How does someone not have any fat, cellulite, or stretch marks. That's incredible.