The Hottest Dance Team In The NFL, Literally

It was hot in San Diego, very hot. The temperature on the field approached triple digits as kickoff approached, rather uncharacteristic for Qualcomm stadium which is situated only a few miles from the beautiful Pacific Ocean. These are the dog days of summer and this is to be expected…along with the occasional wild fire that plagues the area every couple of years.

So after a spate of mediocre preseason football games, the NFL finally returned to San Diego in a big way…for the Baltimore Ravens. Ray Lewis came up big for the Ravens, stuffing Charger running back Darren Sproles on fourth down and two to go in the waning minutes of the game to preserve a 31-26 victory for the Edgar Allen Poes.

Oh well, we’ll get ‘em back in the playoffs. For now, we’ll have to content ourselves with some photos of the Charger Girls, literally the hottest dance team in the NFL.

Now that the Charger Girl bios are up on their website, let’s get to know the Line Captains. Ashlie, a native of Ohio, is in her third year as a member of the Charger Girls and her first as a Line Captain.

Marlina, a fourth year Charger Girl, was the Charger’s Pro Bowl Cheerleader representative last year and owns a cleaning company that specializes in non-toxic, natural and eco-friendly cleaning methods.

Marisa, who hails from Minneapolis, is the daughter of a former NFL player. Last year, she toured the Japan as a part of the “NFL on Tour”. This is her first year as a Line Captain.

Tonya has been a NFL cheerleader for seven years with the Redskins, Cardinals and Chargers. She owns a web site development and graphic arts company and is one of the founders of Sweethearts for Soldiers.

This week’s Charger Girl of the Day is a three year veteran who has been featured on NFL Network’s NFL Cheerleader Playoffs. Introducing, Casie.

Since we are presenting some biographical information this week, let’s start out the cavalcade of absolutely fabulous Charger Girls with our two former USC Song Girls, Nicole M. and Jacquelyn.

Good luck in the 2010 Rose Bowl Game! 😉 I kid, I kid.

Okay, let us turn our attention to the some of rookies on the squad. Belinda was born in Montana and raised in California. She’s studying to be a nurse and takes kickboxing lessons, so watch out fellas.

Carly S. hails from Sacramento, California and spent three seasons cheering in the NBA.

Emily was raised in South Pasadena, a stone throws away from where I live, and was a member of SDSU’s cheer team. Go Aztecs!

Katherine, who likes to be called Katie…and will now be called Katie on this blog, is a native San Diegan. She was a member of the nationally acclaimed Long Beach State Dance Team and a dancer for the NBA.

Lauren is originally from Napa Valley, California and graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in Economics. She owns two mobile dance companies that teaches dance to elementary and preschool students.

Melanie grew up in RPV, that’s Rancho Palos Verdes to those who don’t know. She attended both the University of Oregon and Oregon State University and was a member of both school’s dance teams. She has been a NFL cheerleader for three years and is a first year Charger Girl. She was the Seattle Sea Gals Pro Bowl representative in 2008.

Natalie hails from Santa Maria, California and has danced professionally in the NHL and ABA. She is passionate about Chinese medicine and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in acupuncture.

Tiffany was born in Taiwan and moved to Southern California at age seven. She attended UC Irvine and was a member of their Spirit Squad. Tiffany has performed professionally in the ABA and the NBA.

Victoria is originally from a small town in the Midwest and is a graduate of Missouri State University. As a junior in college, she studied abroad in Australia and is currently employed as a design assistant for a high end design firm. She also has the distinction of being 2009’s first Charger Girl of the Day.

And now let us introduce some of the veterans on the squad. Brittany W. is in her second year as a Charger Girl and is originally from Newport Beach, California. She is currently pursuing a degree in Communications from the University of San Diego.

Carly N. was born and raised in La Canada, California (I hope your family’s house made it through the Station Fire). She is an honors student at the University of San Diego majoring in Accounting.

Casie is a third year Charger Girl who graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in Business and Marketing. She is currently the Marketing Coordinator for a software development company.

Exotic looking Giselle is originally from Panama and graduated from the University of Texas (Hook ‘em Horns!). This is her second year as a Charger Girl.

Heather, Templeton, California’s most famous resident, is in her third year as a Charger Girl. She’s a certified personal trainer and an avid outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys snowboarding, kayaking, dancing and photography…I like photography too!

Michelle is a four year veteran Charger Girl who was born and raised in San Diego. She’s a Dean’s List student studying Nursing at SDSU and has performed as a back up dancer for Gwen Stefani during the 2003 Super Bowl.

Nicole L. is a native Southern Californian and in her second year as a Charger Girl. She discovered a passion for travel that has led her to dance professionally for Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines. For the past seven years, Nicole L. has focused on developing her career in real estate.

Well as you can see from these photos, it was a very hot day in San Diego. I must commend the Charger Girls for enduring the hot temperatures and performing routine after routine in the blazing sun. In fact it was so hot, I almost suffered from heat stroke just watching them dance. But as hot as it was for the fans in the stands or the Charger Girls on the sidelines, I imagine that’s nothing compared to the heat on Charger coach Norv Turner.

For more articles and photos of the Charger Girls, please visit my blog: TheHottestDanceTeam.wordpress.com

Author’s note: Next week, I will complete the Charger Girl introductions by getting photos of those Charger Girls omitted this week.