Focusing on Chelsea of the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders

Rookie Detroit Pride Cheerleader Chelsea's smile lasts from the beginning to end of their long game day

Detroit Lions fans show up in droves to experience the joy of getting their photos taken with the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders. But sometimes, the Cheerleaders get little bursts of joy from being photographed with fans. Case in point, during the morning of the first home Lions game, the DPC took a “break” between morning tailgate performances in a lobby of one of the downtown hotels. A “break” still means a lot of fans walking through the lobby asking for photos, and the DPC happily obliged. As Director of Operations Andrea Wilamowski waited on one side of the lobby, DPC Chelsea’s boot heels quickly clicked over to Andrea from the other side, as Chelsea’s bright smile was especially joyful.

“I just had my picture taken with the cutest eleven-month old boy. You should have seen him!,” Chelsea beamed.

Andrea replied, “Are you in love?”

“Yes,” stated Chelsea matter of factly. “They have three boys and none of them would take a picture with me except the eleven-month old. They were like (Chelsea extends her arms in a modified Heisman-type pose), ‘NO, NO!'”

“Are you causing Lions fans to scream in displeasure?,” Andrea joked, “In a couple of years, he will be kicking himself.”

Some kids just don't know what is good for them

In her second season leading the DPC along with Stacey Latona, Andrea observes, “It is really interesting, we see a trend. When boys are young, like six, seven, they want pictures. When it goes from ages eight to thirteen or fourteen, you can’t pay them to take a picture, they’re too embarrassed. From fifteen to thirty, it is like ‘all in,’ but from thirty to forty, they are worried that theire wives are going to see the pics so they stay away. And it is interesting to see the trends of who the older fans like compared to the younger fans.”

Chelsea continued to happily smile for the fans during the Lions-Chiefs gameday. Although she loves dealing with fans, Chelsea’s facial muscles did need a break. At halftime, Chelsea needed stretching, “I’m getting tired of smiling, I have to frown for a second.” But Chelsea can only frown for a millisecond before the beaming returns.

Chelsea (right) with Brittany at halftime of the Lions-Chiefs game

This is a big weekend for the DPC, with double the fun! Monday night, the football world with be focused on Detroit, as the undefeated Lions host the Bears. The Detroit Pride Cheerleaders will be there to support them in the stands and during pre-game routines. But with an open Sunday on the calendar, Lions fans don’t have to wait to see their beloved DPC’s, because the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders’ 2012 Calendar Launch Party is being held Sunday, October 9th at 12:00pm, in the Skybox Lounge at Emagine Royal Oak. What a perfect way to get ready for the big Monday Night Football game!

Here are some more photos of Chelsea’s first regular season game on September 18th. Left click on the photo to see the entire photo, then left click on that image to see full size.