Monday Morning Cheerleader: Cassie of the Cowboys
By Steve Mazzucchi
Esquire
Dallas continued its dumbfounding tumble against Jacksonville, but this lifelong fan still gets us out of our seats with insights on Wade Phillips, the best team in the NFC, and why America’s Romo-less team has “no chemistry” this season
Sometimes you get the breaks, and sometimes the breaks get you. The latter is certainly the case for the 2010 Dallas Cowboys, who entered the season hoping — legitimately — to be the first team playing a Super Bowl at home. Instead, they began Halloween day at 1-and-5, and things just got scarier from there. Jon Kitna, starting in place of the injured Tony Romo, saw three decent passes bounce off receivers’ gloves right into Jaguar hands, and the team’s best chance to keep it close fizzled when he ran right into running back Marion Barber on a hand-off at the goal line.
To fans lamenting the 35-17 loss and an underwhelming season, we say, cheer up. Sure, it couldn’t get more lukewarm on the field, but along the sidelines, well, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have never been hotter. Witness Cassie, who has supported the team since birth. Really. “My mom is the choreographer, so I was born into the Cowboys family,” explains the third-year cheerleader and journalism student. “My rookie year, people thought that was the only reason I was on the team, but I’ve proved why I’m here. Now my mom is extra hard on me, so instead of nepotism, I have to work even harder.” She had us at “my.”
ESQUIRE: First off, how ’bout those Rangers?
CASSIE: I’m so excited about them. I’m close with one of the pitchers, Derek Holland, and I was at the game when we beat the Yankees to go to the World Series. I hate to say it because I’ve been with the Cowboys for three years, but it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever witnessed. It’s been a long time coming.
ESQ: ESPN analyst Cris Carter said, “The harder the Cowboys try, the more things go wrong.” Is that accurate?
CAS: There’s a lot of heart on the field, but with Romo hurt, I feel like there’s no chemistry. He actually had really good statistics this year. No one’s connecting, and that’s aside from all the penalties and everything. It looks like it’s gonna be a rebuilding year. It’s really hard to watch.
ESQ: The team’s first five losses were by a touchdown or less. Is that encouraging as you look down the road?
CAS: It’s really encouraging. Especially with Dez Bryant. He’s just above and beyond coming around for the Cowboys. At such a horrible time for the team, he’s giving everyone hope. It’s good to see other people leading the team.
ESQ: A couple weeks ago, Bucs cheerleader Tiffany told us, “I feel like Cowboys fans are all bandwagoners anyway,” and the numbers in the stadium have been dwindling. Your thoughts?
CAS: During a good season, there are Cowboys fans all over the U.S. and the world. It’s not the Cowboys’s fault that a lot of people latch on. The bandwagon fans, they’re okay to go. People who were fans when we had one win in 1989 are true fans. The true fans will stick around, and the Cowboys will come back.
ESQ: Wade Phillips’s job security. Discuss.
CAS: I’ve always liked Wade Phillips. I can’t really say bad things about him. We had a great season last year. Everyone is always quick to point a finger, but if there’s no player chemistry, it’s no one else’s fault. I have no idea what happens after this year, but I like Wade Phillips.
ESQ: What did you think about that mustachioed cheerleader in the stands?
CAS: That was hysterical. I think he should try out next year. They sell Cowboys Cheerleaders Halloween costumes, and they look really authentic. We see women in the stands wearing them all the time, but to see a man dressed like that was really funny.
ESQ: Did you guys dress up for Halloween?
CAS: We did Thriller for halftime. We did the first part with masks on the backs of our heads and danced backwards. We looked a little like zombies.
ESQ: Hot zombies?
CAS: I guess you could say that.
ESQ: We’re halfway through the season, and it’s still hard to tell who the really good teams in the NFC are. Who do you think is the strongest?
CAS: The Giants are really looking good, which I hate. They have the meanest, worst fans ever. They’re like Cowboys fans in that true Giants fans are fans for life. They’re really good this year, which is kind of shocking to me.
ESQ: Your favorite bands are Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, Alkaline Trio, The Used, and The Beatles. What concert tickets could a guy offer that would really impress you?
CAS: I went to an all-acoustic show with Jesse from Brand New, which was really awesome. I’ve never gotten to see Taking Back Sunday. I’ve loved them since I was in middle school, but I’ve never seen them because I’ve been so busy, so that would be one.
ESQ: You can talk and sing with your mouth closed. How the hell did you figure out you could do that?
CAS: At a high-school cheerleading camp, this other girl did it, then I just tried it and was really good for some reason. It’s kind of embarrassing. I’m really good at the national anthem. People always make me do that one. It’s like I have a little person in my mouth.
