Former Raiderette Alicia recently married her sweetheart Nick, and has gone from Alicia H. to Alicia F. The Raiderettes are like family, so of course several of her teammates were there to celebrate with the new Mr. and Mrs.
Congratulations Nick and Alicia!
Alicia with teammates Sarah, Jennifer, and Serrita
The Oklahoma City Thunder Girls unveiled their calendar to the public last week. The public was invited to get first crack at the calendars and have them signed by all 18 members of the dance team. Click here to view photos from the evening.
From left: Dee, Jesi, Diawn, Danielle, Allison, Taryn, and Kelsey.
There’s a new team on our radar: the Lady Ravens, dance team for the Orange County Ravens. The Ravens are part of the LaBelle Community Football League (LCFL), a new league endorsed by, and named for, none other than entertainer and philanthropist Ms. Patti LaBelle. (Yes, the Patti LaBelle.) The league provides opportunities for skilled football players to polish and display their athleticism and skill, in pursuit of careers in the pros.
The dancers are under the direction of Danielle Bossert and are choreographed by Julianne Thompson. The Lady Ravens part of every home game. They perform sidelines, time out routines, halftime routines, and help generate excitement for the team. Click here to learn more about them!
Our pal Matt from the Midwest sent us a heads-up on Brooke Long, former San Diego Charger Girl, Los Angeles Laker Girl, Los Angeles Avengers A-Team Dancers, and Miami Heat Dancer.
Brooke is featured in Buffalo Wild Wings’ new Secret Agent ad campaign. In the ads, Brooke kicks booty as Agent #024. Click here to watch the video.
One feature of the new DCC website is video of their game day performances. First off, they are fun to watch. Second, they show what these women can do far better than any still photo ever could.
The latest video is a must-watch. I was absolutely blown away by their endurance. Now I understand why conditioning is so important. It is one thing to do 4 hours of sideline routines, with plenty of breaks in between. It is quite another to do a marathon halftime routine like the one they did for Breast Cancer Awareness month.
If I may digress for a moment – the DCC are all about the uniform. Maybe it’s different if you live in Texas, but speaking for those of us outside of that state, it’s the uniform that’s the celebrity. Not the girl wearing it. Where other teams are integrating alternate uniforms and game day costumes, the DCC have – for the most part – kept to what works for them and best represents who they are. From what I’ve seen, they don’t fiddle with it a whole lot. (Although I have seen them wear chaps over the uniform sometimes.)
And then there was that mermaid thing.
What was that about?
So when October came around, and other NFL dance teams appeared on the field with pink poms, pink legwarmers, pink armbands, and pink shirts, I wondered what the DCC would do. I couldn’t see them wearing the pink shirts like everyone else. And without the shirt, the legwarmers would look kind of strange. I figured they’d probably go with pink poms. (And thought how cool it would be if they replaced their blue blouses and stars with pink ones just for that game – as if.)
Well, in their usual DCC style, they put a little twist on it to set them apart from the other dance teams, while honoring such an important cause. I didn’t realize that at first, though. The first photo I saw, showed them in their regular uniforms. A second look revealed that they had new poms – same as the old poms – but with a few discrete pink strands tucked in here and there.
I’m not going to lie. My first thought was “Wow, that is so incredibly weak.” I mean, it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is a big deal, not just for the Cowboys, but all across the league, and this is the best they could do? Really?
I should have known it was part of something bigger. It is, after all, Texas.
At halftime, the DCC threw aside the pink shirts and legwarmers, and did it one better. Pink polka dot dresses with those little white ankle socks you wore when you were little. (The ones with the lace on the cuff that you only got to wear on special occasions.) They also had sparkly pink poms, and pink accents on their sneakers.
I also discovered later on, that they did, in fact, alter their uniforms for the occasion. Instead of wearing pink breast cancer awareness ribbons, they wore one pink star on their vests.
But the pinkness of it all was a distant second to the actual performance.
Which brings me back to my original point: the video.
It was seven solid minutes of dancing, tumbling, stunting, jump splits, partner moves, formation changes, and everything but the kitchen sink. Who knew the DCC could tumble?
What amazed me most was the shear stamina it takes to pull that off. Seven minutes is longer than you think. 45 seconds into it, I would’ve been laid out on the ground with the edges of my vision going black.
If you think this is no big deal, do me a favor. Stand up and do jumping jacks as fast as you can for seven minutes. I think you’ll come around to my point of view. Cripes, those girls are in good shape.
Go watch the video. You’ll see what I mean. (Click here)
Outkicking Our Coverage: An Interview with the Ben-Gals
October 27, 2009 – Dr. Pancake
The Pigskin Doctors
The finer things in Cincinnati: Skyline Chili, Montgomery Inn, Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chip Ice Cream.
The finest: Ben-Gal Cheerleader’s Jennie and Alyson.
The beautiful and talented Ben-Gals are both 3 year veterans of the Cincinnati cheerleading squad. Jennie (left) is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and works full time as a financial analyst. Alyson graduated from the University of Cincinnati and teaches elementary school. The girls met in 2007 and have become great friends with similar interests in traveling, dancing, and rooting on their Bengals. The lovely ladies were generous enough to take a moment out of their busy lives to answer some burning questions we just had to know.
1. What part of your uniform is most uncomfortable?
Jennie: I have to pick just one part?? I guess the top. The design feels restrictive of shoulder movement, and the (Bengal) “B” in the cleavage can kind of stab you throughout the game. And the boots are no walk in the park!
Alyson: The pantyhose! They make our legs look great, but when we sweat they are disgusting.
2. What is the craziest thing you’ve seen on the field on game day?
Jennie: Our game against the Bronco’s this year had an unfortunately crazy ending, but I’ve also seen a “hurricane” hit Paul Brown Stadium. We almost blew away!
Alyson: Last year there was a wind storm during a game. There was lots of debris everywhere and I saw a twenty dollar bill floating in the wind.
3. Which team has the sexiest mascot?
Jennie: The Bengals! Who Dey is so muscular this year!
Alyson: Us! Aren’t bengal tigers sexy?
4. Who would win in a fight, Chad or Rey Maualuga?
Jennie: Maualuga, that guy is ferocious! But Chad would win an argument.
Alyson: Chad could talk a big game, but Rey would definitely win!
5. How does your dad like your calender pic?
Jennie: He says it doesn’t look like me. He’s mentioned that it’s very awkward for his friends, though.
Alyson: He’s proud of whatever I do. He got a signed calender from all the girls for his birthday and absolutely loved it!
6. What position would you play if you were on the Bengals?
Jennie: Wide Receiver, and I’d have a choreographed dance for each touchdown celebration!
Alyson: Punter. I think Kevin Huber has a fun job and he doesn’t get tackled.
7. Are men intimidated by you when they find out you’re an NFL cheerleader?
Jennie: I wish they were. It’s very uncomfortable to refuse giving out your number.
Alyson: I don’t think intimidated. Their personality changes when you tell them though. They try to act cool, ask if you have a boyfriend, try to impress you, etc.
8. Is it a turn-off if a guy tells you he plays fantasy football?
Jennie: Yes. If it’s coming up early in conversation, it’s probably a big part of his life. Every once in a while it’s nice to sleep in on a Sunday without him stressing about finalizing who’s in and who’s out.
Alyson: No way! I like guys who know their football. Plus they know facts about all players, not just the Bengals!
9. Which football player would be most reliable in paying his child support?
Jennie: Carson Palmer. He’s a stand up guy!
Alyson: I hope all of them are. If you can drive around in a car that’s $50,000 (or more), then you can pay your baby mama!
10. Which player creepy hugs the cheerleaders most often?
Jennie: No brainer on this one… But no comment!
Alyson: Haha. No comment. We have a no fraternizing rule.
11. Which player would be super cool to hang out with?
Jennie: Does it have to be a Bengal? Because I’d love to hang out with Peyton!
Alyson: I would like to hang out with Chad Ochocinco and twitter all day! I also think Roy Williams is funny. We worked a charity event together and he seems like he would be fun to hang out with.
12. What is your least favorite word, besides moist?
Jennie: Steelers.
Alyson: Kicks. Like when our coaches say, “It’s time to work on kicks!” (referring to the kickline)
13. Who is the best looking player in the NFL?
Jennie: Brady Quinn
Alyson: Tom Brady, hello!
14. Dumb and Dumber is the best movie ever right?
Jennie: It’s up there!
Alyson: Yes! Jim Carrey is a genius.
15. Worst movie you have ever seen?
Jennie: Anchorman… it’s just really not that funny!
Alyson: The Blair Witch Project. I think I got motion sickness during that movie.
16. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Jennie: Alicia Silverstone
Alyson: Holly Madison (Hugh Hefner’s ex from Playboy’s “Girls Next Door”) She’s a successful blonde with big boobs! Who wouldn’t want her to play them?
17. What is your Favorite Beatles song?
Jennie: I don’t like the Beatles.
Alyson: Come Together. It was in a dance routine when I was little.
18. Are you the right girl for Tim Tebow?
Jennie: Absolutely not! I’m a Volunteer!
Alyson: Nope! O-H!
19. Can he play quarterback in the NFL?
Jennie: No, he’ll get hurt. Then he’ll vomit on the sidelines.
Alyson: Yes, but not for Cincinnati!
20. What’s your go to Karaoke song?
Jennie: Michael Jackson, Man in the Mirror or Elton John, Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Alyson: Britney Spears, Toxic, hands down!
21. Who is your favorite character on The Office?
Jennie: Jim
Alyson: Pam! She has a similar love story to mine.
22. What are you going to be for Halloween?
Jennie: I haven’t decided yet!
Alyson: I am going to be in Cancun, Mexico for Halloween. We are still dressing up in authentic Mexican clothes and Sombreros to celebrate!
RAPID FIRE:
Pool or hot tub?
J: Hot tub
A: Hot tub after practice please.
Joey or Chandler??
J: Chandler
A: Chandler
Pina colada or whiskey neat??
J: Southern Comfort
A: Pina Colada (Miami Vice variation) I bet Jennie said Whiskey!
Rather be an assassin or an astronaut?
J: Astronaut
A: Astronaut, assassin is way too much pressure, and you can do flips in space!
Brad or George ?
J: George
A: George
Shave or wax??
J: Shave
A: Shave sometimes, Wax sometimes depending on my time schedule.
Ben or Casey Affleck?
J: Ben
A: Ben!
Conan or Dave?
J: Conan
A: Dave
Slap Chop or Sham Wow?
J: Sham Wow
A: Sham Wow
Andy Samberg or Adam Sandler?
J: Adam Sandler
A: Andy Samberg. Im on a Boat!
Audrina or Kristen?
J: Kristen
A: Neither. Team Heidi
Jon and Kate plus 8? or Heidi and Spencer plus Heidi’s sister?
J: Speidi + Holly
A: I like Kate plus 8.
Mario or Luigi?
J: Mario
A: Both. It wouldn’t be Super Mario Bro’s without both of them. I remember playing that on Nintendo when I was 8 and you would have to blow on the game to get it to work!
Megan Fox or Olivia Wilde?
J: Megan Fox
A: Megan Fox, I liked transformers.
Will Ferrell or Jim Carrey?
J: Jim Carrey
A: Will Ferrell is my favorite actor.
Steak or Sushi?
J: Steak
A: Both
Kobe or LeBron?
J: LeBron
A: LeBron, go Cavs!
For your guy:
Harley, Pick up, or Benz?
J: Benz
A: Harley for my guy, I’ll take a Benz though!
Clean shaven or scruff?
J: Clean Shaven
A: Both, clean for work or meeting the parents. Scruff for weekends and vacations
V-neck or collared shirt?
J: Collared shirt
A: Collared shirt, no chest hair please!
Tats or no tats?
J: No Tats *Note- these questions make it seem like I like a metro kind of guy… but keep in mind that I hate men with hair gel and designer jeans!
A: He can have 1 or 2. I like good little boys though!
Where do we begin with this week’s NFL cheerleader gallery on SportsIllustrated.com? There was a lot going on last weekend. The Bucs and Pats Cheerleaders were in London. Back here in the States, there were all kinds of specialty performances for Halloween, Military Awareness Day, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This week’s gallery includes teams from the Bengals, Chiefs, Dolphins, Buccaneers, Patriots, Texans, Rams, and Panthers (who debuted a new look on the field.) Click here to go there now.
It will be so weird next week, when everything is back to normal.
The Cowboys have posted individual profiles for the inaugural Rhythm and Blue Dancers. Click here to find out more about the ladies on the team.
There are loads of new photos from week 7 on NFL.com. This week, they have the Rams, Raiders, Cowboys, Bucs, Jets, Texans, Chiefs, Dolphins, and Redskins Cheerleaders. It was a fun week, with special performances for Military Awareness Day, Halloween, and Breast Cancer Awareness month. Click here and have a look.
Last weekend, the Texans’ home game was also Military Appreciation Day. In honor of the occasion, the Texans Cheerleaders suited up as members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. One of your peers, Keith, was in the stands and sent us this link to his photos. Go check them out!
Thanks Keith!
(Have we mentioned lately how much we love it when you guys send us stuff? You all are the best!)
