National Football League Cheerleading

National Football League Cheerleading, or simply NFL Cheerleading, is a professional cheerleading league in the United States. Twenty six of the 32 NFL teams include a cheerleading squad in their franchise. Cheerleaders are a popular attraction that can give a team more coverage/airtime, popular local support and increased media image. For the NFL, the Baltimore Colts were the first team in the NFL to have cheerleaders in 1954. They were also a part of the Baltimore Colts Marching Band. Currently, six NFL teams have no cheerleaders.

According to most NFL cheerleading sites, cheerleading is classified as a part-time job that consists of time for practice, training camp, games, appearances, photo shoots, and charity events.

Most often, cheerleaders have completed or are attending a university, and continue on to other careers after cheering for an average of one to four seasons.

Apart from their main duties of cheering during the football games, the cheerleaders have many other responsibilities. Nearly every team member is available for appearances at schools, events, conferences, etc., for a set fee. An anticipated annual event is the release of each squad's calendar, featuring members for each month in swimsuits, lingerie, or uniforms. As well as being a mainstay of American football culture, the cheerleaders are one of the biggest entertainment groups to regularly perform for the United States Armed Forces overseas. All performances and tours are enlisted by the USO. Teams send their variety show, an elite group of their best members, to perform combination shows of dance, music, baton twirling, acrobatics, gymnastics, and more. In February 2007, the Buffalo Bills even sent a squad of eight along with their choreographer into the war zone of Iraq. In 1996, the SF 49ers Cheerleaders and their director Angela King-Twitero helicoptered into the war inflicted country of Bosnia with the USO and the U.S. Army. The U.S. troops in Korea have been entertained during the holiday season with the USO's Bob Hope Tour. Over the years, the tour has featured NFL cheerleaders from the Dallas Cowboys and the SF 49ers.

As of 2006, a competition strictly for NFL cheerleaders was introduced on The NFL Network, called NFL Cheerleader Playoffs. Two cheerleaders from each cheerleading team compete against other mini-teams in various athletic events. This includes kayaking, 100 yard dash, obstacle courses, and other events.

A top honor for an NFL Cheerleader is to be selected as Pro Bowl Cheerleader. The group is composed of an all-star cheerleader (one from each NFL cheer team) that represents her NFL team at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. The Pro Bowl Cheerleaders were founded in 1992 and directed by Jay Howarth and Angela King-Twitero. Choreography by John Peters.

Teams
Listed by name, with corresponding NFL football team.

* Ravens Cheerleading Squad is technically a Co-ed Stunt and All-Female Dance squad.

Teams without cheerleaders
As of 2011, the only teams without cheerleaders are the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The February 2011 meeting of the Packers and Steelers at Super Bowl XLV was the first time a Super Bowl featured no cheerleaders.

Arizona Cardinals

 * Aubrey Aquino, TV reporter and host
 * Danielle Demski, Miss Arizona USA, 2004
 * Phyllis Smith, actress on The Office (during the team's St. Louis days)
 * Ashlee Tate DeMartino, broadcast meteorologist for KTNV-TV

Atlanta Falcons

 * Nicole Duncan, Georgia State University Cheerleading Coach
 * Laurie Flynn, wife of Matt Schaub
 * Whitney Frink, Hollywood TV Producer
 * Tiffany Fallon, Playboy Playmate of the Year 2005

Baltimore Ravens

 * Stacy Keibler, former professional WWE wrestler
 * Molly Shattuck, wife of Mayo A. Shattuck III

Buffalo Bills

 * Theresa Joy, actress

Carolina Topcats

 * Kimberly Coon, (2009), contestant on The Bachelor Season 15

Cincinnati Bengals

 * Brooke Griffin, (2005–2009), personal trainer, author, and fitness model.

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

 * Kelli Finglass, (1984–1989), director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
 * Sarah Shahi, (1999–2000), actress, plays Carmen on The L Word, second season. Most recently on NBC's "Life"
 * Micaela Johnson, (2003–2005), Miss Nebraska USA 2008
 * Kandi Harris, (2006–2008), wife of Hunter Mahan
 * Kimberly Ball, reporter of KTVT
 * Shaune Bagwell, model and jewelry designer
 * Jenni Croft, contestant on The Bachelor Season 11
 * Lezlie Deane, actress, founder of techno group Fem2fem
 * Denise Garvey, director and coach of the NY Jets Flight Crew Cheerleading Squad, former New Jersey Nets Dancer, former New York Knicks dancer
 * Tina Gayle, actress, CHiPs TV Series (1982–1983)
 * Janet Gunn, actress
 * Kristin Holt, television personality, entertainment news correspondent
 * Jill Marie Jones, actress, plays Toni On Girlfriends
 * Emily Kuchar, wife of Zack Greinke
 * Bonnie-Jill Laflin, actress/model
 * Michelle Parma, actress, MTV's Road Rules: Europe. She died in a car accident in Texas on October 19, 2002
 * Melissa Rycroft, ABC's Dancing with the Stars contestant and Winner then runner-up on The Bachelor Season 13
 * Sheri Scholz, Miss Texas Teen USA 1983
 * Starr Spangler, winner, The Amazing Race 13
 * Judy Trammell, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders choreographer, mother of current DCC member Cassie Trammell

Denver Broncos

 * Tatiana Anderson, Host of ESPN'S TV show Kiana's Flex Appeal
 * Katee Doland, Miss Colorado USA 2001
 * Kollette Klassen, wife of Jake Plummer
 * Jamie Dukehart-Conti, Miss Colorado 2008
 * Katie Layman, Miss Colorado 2009
 * Michelle Beisner, NFL Network
 * Renee Herlocker, Spike TV, E! News

Houston Texans

 * Ashley Clay (2007–2008), wife of Ryan Cochrane
 * Carol Newinn
 * Andrea Buhl

Indianapolis Colts

 * Mindy Winkler (1998–2000), show personality of radio program, The Smiley Morning Show
 * Megan Glaros (2002), meteorologist of WBBM-TV
 * Megan Meadors, Miss Indiana 2008
 * Stephanie Soviar, wife of Jeff Simmons

Kansas City Chiefs

 * Krazy George Henderson (1975–1979)
 * Dr. Jennifer Horrell, wife of member of the Missouri House of Representatives, Sam Page
 * Najahe Sherman, anchor of KSHB-TV

Miami Dolphins

 * Suzy Tavarez, (1998–2000), On-Air Personality, Miami radio station Y100-FM
 * Brenda Lowe, (2004–2005), contestant from Survivor: Nicaragua.
 * Ashley White, (2007–2008), reporter of WYFF
 * Hennely Jimenez (2003–2004), Actress, 200 mph
 * Jeanette Dousdebes, wife of member of the Florida House of Representatives, Marco Rubio
 * Jaime Faith Edmondson, contestant from The Amazing Race in 2009.
 * Shannon Ford, Miss Florida USA 2002 and contestant on The Bachelor Season 3
 * Brittany Freeman, Miss New Hampshire Teen USA 2004.
 * Mireya Mayor, National Geographic Wildlife Correspondent and History Channel's "Expedition:Africa" Wildlife Expert and Explorer.
 * LauRen Merola, Miss Pennsylvania USA 2008
 * Fabiola Romero, Original member of the FSU Cowgirls
 * Lilly Robbins, Maxim Model
 * Cara Rosenthal, contestant from The Amazing Race in 2009.
 * Pamela Silva, reporter and anchor of TeleFutura's En Vivo y Directo
 * Nadia Turner, Season 4 American Idol contestant
 * Natalie Vickers, news anchor of MountainWest Sports Network

New England Patriots

 * Meghan Vasconcellos, (2006), model and fiancee of Lonie Paxton
 * Alysha Castonguay (2006–08), Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2002, Miss Rhode Island USA 2009
 * Kristin Gauvin, Miss Massachusetts 2005
 * Sarah Mitchell, dancer and actress

Oakland/Los Angeles Raiderettes

 * Erica Arana, actress, television host, and philanthropist
 * Aubrey Aquino, TV reporter and host
 * Karen Baughman, wife of Bob Golic
 * Danielle Gamba, Playboy Cyber Girl of the Month, October 2004.
 * Paige Green, wife of John Elway.
 * Jennifer Grijalva, actress, MTV's The Real World (season 18).
 * Anjelah Johnson, standup comedian.
 * Cole Martin, contestant on The Bachelor Season 8
 * Raydeen Revilla, actress
 * Kiana Tom, TV fitness instructor, model & actress.

Philadelphia Eagles

 * Amie Barsky, actress
 * Gina Cerilli, Miss Pennsylvania USA 2010
 * Carol J. Woliung, wife of Pete Rose

St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams

 * Lisa Guerrero, (1980s) American sports broadcaster, actress, model
 * Jenilee Harrison, (1978–1980), actress, Three's Company
 * Apollonia Kotero, (1980s) co-star of Purple Rain. Former girlfriend of Prince (musician), and lead singer of Apollonia 6.
 * Amy Holland Pennell, actress

San Diego Chargers

 * Charisma Carpenter, actress, played Cordelia Chase on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and had the same role in the long lived spin-off Angel

San Francisco 49ers

 * Ashley Clay (2008-2009), wife of Ryan Cochrane
 * Julie Durda, meteorologist of WSVN and contestant on The Bachelor Season 5
 * Teri Hatcher, actress
 * Angela King-Twitero, author of The Business of Professional Cheerleading, and dance costume designer (eight NFL Cheerleading teams wear her designs) Angela transitioned from cheerleader to director of the Gold Rush Cheerleaders, and lead the team from 1992-1997. She also was the founding co-director of the NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleaders from 1992-1997.

Seattle Seahawks

 * Ali Dudek, singer
 * Amber Lancaster, model and actress
 * Lauren Leeds, reporter of KVEW
 * Heidi Meili, reporter and anchor of KECI-TV
 * Julie Shipley-Childs, fitness competitor and IFBB professional

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 * Mary Delgado, (1993–1999), winner on The Bachelor Season 6
 * Brooke Newton, actress
 * Bobbie Shay Lee (1996–1998), first NFL cheerleader with a short hair cut, also called a pixie cut. Since then, the team reserves a spot each year for a cheerleader with short hair.

Tennessee Titans

 * Dr. Monica Williams, Vanderbilt University cancer research fellow
 * April Pennington, former TNA Wrestling ring girl and manager. Metro-Nashville Juvenile court clerk

Washington Redskins Cheerleaders

 * Debbie Barrigan (1994–95, 1999-01), Blast! dance troupe member
 * Maureen Gardner, (1974–76), wife of 71st governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell
 * Michaé Holloman, (2002–07), Miss Maryland USA 2007
 * Kristianna Nichols, Mrs. America 1992
 * Christy Oglevee, wife of Chris Cooley
 * Terri Crane-Lamb, Founder of the First NFL Alumni Cheerleader Association (1984)



Pro Bowl
Each year, one squad member from every NFL team is chosen to participate in the collective Pro Bowl cheerleading squad. Traditionally, this is the highest honor of talent and popularity an NFL cheerleader can receive. The Pro Bowl Cheerleaders were founded in 1992 and directed by Jay Howarth and Angela King-Twitero, choreographed by John Peters.