Revealed NFL Cheerleader Rules Spark Controversies With Debatable Standards, Pay, and Scrutiny

The dazzling world of NFL cheerleading shines brightly in the spotlight, with thousands of students trying out every year. These cheer girls are reputed to be some of the most celebrated, settled, and envied teens, with sought-out jobs in the sports entertainment industry. The NFL cheerleading dream seems to portray a path of job security, with additional bling for those who seek fame and fortune. 

However, with their cheers echoing loudly, these entertainers face an unprecedented rush. They are bound by severe regulations that add strict limitations to their privacy as well as their personal choices. Subject to unfair rules placing huge responsibilities on their young hearts, the cheerleaders also face debatable approaches in their workplace. With the 2012 Raiders etiquette book advising conservational norms, many girls recently came forward to share their dreadful experiences. 

NFL cheerleaders expose secrets behind the glitz

Behind the pom-poms and graceful dance routines of these aspiring teens lies an evident web of stinging regulations. From forcing the cheerleaders to maintain a fixed ‘ideal body weight’ to warning them about the correct usage of tampons, the rules monitor several activities. The students are also asked to refrain from wearing sweatpants in public, among many other peculiar notices that silently govern the lives of these spirited performers.

Former cheerleader Lyndsey Rauchert, who worked for the New England Patriots, revealed her pressurized experience while conforming to these stringent standards. Lyndsey narrated how the rules took a toll on her personal matters, raising serious concerns about these athletes’ mental and physical well-being. Recollecting her pain, the cheerleader expressed, “the real killer was body dysmorphia and eating disorders, and the depression and anxiety which stem from that.”

A culture that seeks urgent changes

The Carolina Panthers’ TopCats have also presented a similar picture. They expect the cheerleaders to arrive at the stadium five hours before the kickoff starts. Shockingly enough, the management even requires their cheer team to remove body piercings and cover up all visible tattoos. Another astonishing note claims that the girls are only permitted water breaks when the Panthers are on offense, adding to the intensity of their struggles. 

Read More: How much do cheerleaders get paid in the NFL?

Meanwhile, cheer-girls at the Baltimore Ravens reportedly encounter regular weight tests that add further momentum to these unfair scrutinies of their appearance. But despite following such upheld guidelines, the NFL cheerleaders are not secure against financial hurdles. Many cheer team members often find themselves at unexpected disadvantages. Disregarding their integral role in NFL games, many earn as little as $75 per game. Astonishingly, sometimes the annual incomes of these entertainers are even less than $1,000. 

While having to shoulder the cost of their uniforms, the teens are also tasked with selling raffle tickets and calendars. Many cheerleaders have voiced their opinions while struggling with restricted social media activities, constraints in dating choices, and discriminatory bans. Bailey Davis’ retaliation to the New Orleans Saints firing her over a private Instagram post is a massive stand in this battle. She urged a sex discrimination case, alleging a double standard between cheerleaders and players. As these cheerleaders strive for recognition of their worth, many more former performers are gradually coming forward to balance the future of cheerleading.  

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