This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders, the longest running cheerleading squad in the NFL. To commemorate the milestone, alumni cheerleaders from six decades embarked upon FedEx Field Sunday and performed during halftime of the Homecoming game against the Panthers.
How many faces do you recognize?
Along with the current squad, more than 200 former cheerleaders from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s celebrated their history with music, choreography and authentic uniforms from each decade.
“Having the chance to reunite and celebrate with six decades of women was amazing,” said Cheerleading Director and Choreographer Stephanie Jojokian, herself a one-time member of the squad. “It was an honor to meet women who cheered during each decade and learn about their experiences.”
Founded in 1962 and originally named the Redskinettes, the cheerleaders have brought worldwide recognition to the Washington, D.C. area, the Redskins organization, and the NFL. During the late 1990s the cheerleaders became known as the First Ladies of Football. During their rich 50 year history, the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders have done more than dance along the sidelines. They have raised millions of dollars for local charities, performed for the military in more than 40 countries, produced 15 swimsuit calendars, appeared on numerous television programs, and graced the pages of several national magazines. There is no question that their popularity will continue to grow over the next 50 years.
[Washington Redskins Cheerleaders]
[Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Alumni Association]
A native of San Antonio, Cynthia Trinidad has joined the San Antonio Talons as Dance Director where she will be overseeing the Talons Sky Dancers. With a strong background in dance and cheer, Trinidad brings over 20 years of experience to the dance team including time as an NBA San Antonio Spurs Dancer and as an NFL Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
“I’m very excited to see my city get a pro football team and to bring my years of experience to the San Antonio Talons.” said Trinidad, “I look forward to putting together a first-class dance team to perform and be ambassadors at the games and at many community events throughout the year.”
If you’re interested in joining the Talons Sky Dancers, preliminary dance auditions for the Sky Dance Team will be held on December 8, 2012 at Gold’s Gym Fiesta Trails located at 12481 West IH 10, San Antonio, TX 78230. Auditions will run from 9am-3pm. Pre-registration is $25 and same day registration is $30.
Final Auditions are scheduled for Tuesday December 18, 2012 at Sam’s Burger Joint Live Music Venue in downtown San Antonio. Final Auditions will be open to the public and will give Talons fans the first chance to see the 2013 San Antonio Talons Sky Dancers.
The San Antonio Talons are entering into their second season in the Arena Football League (AFL). The team was moved to San Antonio from Tulsa, OK in 2012 and won the AFL’s Central Division title, as well as hosted their first AFL playoff game in the 2012 season. To pre-register for dance auditions or for more information please call 210.227.TEAM.
[San Antonio Talons Sky Dancers]
From 2008 – A member of the Lehigh Valley Lady Outlawz
By Stacie Kinder
Titans Online
Over the years, Titans Cheerleaders have encountered Titans fans at every military base they have visited around the world. It was no different last month when cheerleaders Anne B., Yalea, Stormi, and Angie raised morale with troops stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.
“The whole trip was just a blast! It was the most amazing experience, and I will never forget the people that I met because they touched my heart,” said second year veteran, Angie. “Hearing some of their stories and what they do so we can have our freedom is truly incredible.”
The Cheerleaders were able to spend time in downtown Seattle while on their trip, visiting Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.
“This was my first time to visit the Seattle area, and it was great to take advantage of the opportunity to see some of the famous sites around town,” said Michigan native, Yalea.
While on base, the ladies spent time at Fire Station 104, talking with the military firefighters and learning more about the dangers of their job. Next, they spent a few hours at the Joint Base Fort Lewis-McChord Exchange, a giant military shopping experience serving the military and their families on base. The Cheerleaders posed for photos and signed pictures and other Titans merchandise for fans.
“Meeting all of the brave men and women that dedicate their lives as well as their family’s lives was an incredibly rewarding experience,” added Yalea. “To be able to simply sign a poster for them when they do so much for this country was something I will never forget.”
The Cheerleaders finished their trip with a night of bowling with some of the young men stationed at Fort Lewis.
Army wife and second year cheerleader, Stormi, summed up the trip by saying, “With the military being such a large part of my life and who I am, I always enjoy the time I give back to the troops. I want to bring a smile to troops serving worldwide. My husband is currently serving in Afghanistan, and I hope that performance groups, teams, and entertainment groups can bring him a moment of normalcy. That’s all I can ask for as a proud Army wife and a Titans Cheerleader!”
[Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders]
From 2008 – A Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader
From 2006 – Pro Bowl Broncos Cheerleader Renee Herlocker
From the 2011 P-R-O Convention – A trio of Houston Texans Cheerleaders
Gotham City Cheerleaders outside MetLife Stadium
The New York Giants don’t have Cheerleaders…not officially.
But Giants fans, both young and old, have taken an immediate liking to the Gotham City Cheerleaders and their dream to become the Giants Official Cheerleaders.
And the GCC couldn’t have better leadership as they set forth in their quest to dance on the sidelines of MetLife Stadium..
The Gotham City Cheerleaders are under the direction of former Washington Redskins Cheerleader Ana De Villegas, while the Ref Squad are coached by former San Diego Charger Girl and NY Jets Flight Crew member Christie Artinger.
For a variety of complicated legal reasons, I can’t show you any photos of Ana and Christie from my visit to North Jersey. But that’s okay, I’ll just dig into the Ultimate Cheerleaders archives.
Ana at FedEx Field in April of 2009.
Christie at Qualcomm Stadium in December of 2011
Evan Glantz
Stlouisrams.com
Usually when the St. Louis Rams travel to Seattle, it is with the sole purpose of taking down the division rival Seahawks. But in October, the organization had a different purpose in venturing to the Northwest. Rams mascot, Rampage, and two members of the Rams’ cheerleading squad visited military men and women stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.“The purpose of the trip was easy – to show support to the troops and their families,” Joint Base Lewis-McChord general manager Patrick McGhee said.
McGhee has been working with the Rams since the team moved to St. Louis in 1995. He has worked at three bases over that time and has arranged visits from Rams cheerleaders at each one. The relationship has continued to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Seattle, and the visit in mid-October marked the second time this year the Rams visited the base. Much was crammed into the group’s weekend visit.
Upon their arrival, the cheerleaders, Karielle and Taylor, and Rampage were treated to a tour of the fire station on base. Chief Dave Franklin gave the girls and Rampage a tour of the facilities, complete with a ride in a fire truck, and two unique opportunities that would be the envy of any five-year old – the chance to try on the firemen’s gear and the chance to spray the fire hose.
The Rams contingency also went bowling and spent much of the weekend interacting with the troops and their families. During the various meet and greets, the cheerleaders and Rampage signed autographs and posed for pictures with the various men and women. Despite being deep in rival territory, Rampage and the Rams cheerleaders still attracted a large crowd.
“There was a person wearing a Green Bay Packers jersey waiting in line to get an autograph from a Rams cheerleader,” McGhee said. “Even though they’re Rams cheerleaders, they draw fans of other teams. And that’s the biggest compliment you can get.”
McGhee started his program in 1989 and since then, his network has grown to 11 NFL teams. He arranges their visits to a variety of bases on the western half of the country. In addition to cheerleaders, he also schedules visits for various movie stars, singers and other celebrities. But ask his preference, and it is not a question.
“I would always prefer NFL cheerleaders over all the rest,” he said. “For one, they’re low maintenance. Two, they really show through their actions that they care about the troops. There’s no false front. That’s the biggest difference between cheerleaders and the big-name celebrities.”
He is particularly fond of the Rams. Not only does he have a long-standing relationship with the organization, but he appreciates their continuous efforts.
“It’s been a perfect relationship. The girls aren’t only smart, but they’ve got personalities,” McGhee said. “The bottom line is this – you can talk it, or you can walk it. And the girls walk it.”
Karielle, Taylor and Rampage all play a valuable role in creating and maintaining an exciting atmosphere in the Edward Jones Dome on game days. But they can be just as important in raising a group’s collective spirit off the field as well. Even when that happens to be in rival territory.
“Cheerleaders can be very powerful,” McGhee said. “They convey the image that the NFL needs. And more importantly, they take that brief moment of time to make somebody happy.”
