Ben-Gals’ Rigdon Travels to Japan

By Marla Toncray
Maysville Online

For Cincinnati Ben-Gals cheerleader Tina Rigdon, offering support to American men and women serving overseas is something she is extremely proud of.

Rigdon, who has been on the Ben-Gals squad four years, is one of four National Football League cheerleaders selected by Protour Productions to travel to Japan to meet and greet service men and women serving with the U.S. Army. The other women cheer for the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans.

Selection was made by each team’s cheer squad coach. Protour Productions coordinates the tour each year to promote the NFL Pro Bowl and Super Bowl.

Rigdon will leave Tuesday for a nine day tour that will take her to a U.S. Army Base Camp Zama, near Tokyo Japan.

During her tour, Rigdon will not only meet with military personnel at Camp Zama, but will also travel to outlying areas of Japan to meet with other U.S. servicemen and woman serving in isolated areas of the country.

“The purpose is to lift spirits and improve morale,” said Rigdon. “I love the fact they picked me and I think it’s awesome. I’m so proud to be an American.”

Before she leaves, Rigdon has been responsible for learning five new dance routines, which will be performed for the troops. She said when she and her fellow NFL cheerleaders step off the plane, they must be “performance ready.” The trip will also include signing NFL calendars and other items, while visiting and talking with the troops about what’s happening back home and of course, the upcoming Super Bowl game, Pro Bowl and the NFL season.

“We will be there and it gives them the NFL experience,” she said.