13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (2024)

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The New York Times reported that some NFL cheerleaders must buy their own uniforms. Others, like the cheerleaders for the Seattle Sea Hawks, are given uniforms but must pay for any maintenance or mending. Carolina Panthers cheerleaders must show up for work five hours before kickoff. Cincinnati Bengals cheerleaders reportedly must be "within three pounds of their 'ideal weight'" in recent years, according to The Times. Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders also must go through regular weigh-ins. A former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader told Deadspin that "failure to comply with body weight and/or appearance guidelines could result in suspension from the team or game day suspensions." Carolina Panthers cheerleaders can't take water breaks unless the team is on offense, The Times reports. Carolina Panthers cheerleaders also can't change into their street clothes until they leave the stadium, The Times reports. Oakland Raiders cheerleaders are slapped with fines if they show up with the wrong pompoms, fail to polish their boots, or forget part of their uniform on game day, according to The Times. According to The Times, cheerleaders for the Baltimore Ravens can't pose nude or semi-nude, work as exotic dancers, or be in any "tasteless films, photos, or bikini/swimwear contest." Carolina Panthers cheerleaders must cover up visible tattoos or body piercings, The Times reports. San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders reportedly cannot tell people that they are affiliated with the team. The Times reports that, according to several NFL cheerleader handbooks, "wearing sweatpants in public is forbidden" on some teams. Cheerleaders are also banned from posting "pictures of themselves in uniform," The Times reports. NFL cheerleaders are barred from associating with the football players themselves —that means no autographs or social media follows, according to The Times. FAQs
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13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (1)

• NFL cheerleaders must follow strict rules to keep their jobs, according to a report from The New York Times.

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• Some teams require cheerleaders to maintain a strict body weight, cover up tattoos and body piercings, and forego wearing sweatpants in public.

• One New Orleans Saints cheerleader was even sacked over an Instagram post, The New York Times reported, prompting a discrimination case.


NFL cheerleaders must adhere to a number of intense rules if they want to keep their jobs, according to a recent report from The New York Times.

These directives don't just pertain to cheerleaders' workplace conduct, either. The mandates dictate how cheerleaders can behave when they're off the clock, too.

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Specific guidelines vary from team to team, but it's not the first time the treatment of NFL cheerleaders has been the subject of a controversy.

Some cheerleaders reportedly earned less than $1,000 a year in 2016, according to USA Today, and Time reportsmultiplelawsuits have been filed that allege that teams paid below the minimum wage. And now some are arguing are that the rules are sexist and that the NFL cheerleaders in general are exploited. A former New Orleans Saints cheerleader, who was fired after she posted a photo of herself in a one-piece outfit on Instagram, has even filed a discrimination case against the team, The New York Times reported.

Here's a look at some of the rules many NFL cheerleaders must abide by:

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The New York Times reported that some NFL cheerleaders must buy their own uniforms. Others, like the cheerleaders for the Seattle Sea Hawks, are given uniforms but must pay for any maintenance or mending.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (2)

Roger Steinman/AP Images

Source: The New York Times, CBS

Carolina Panthers cheerleaders must show up for work five hours before kickoff.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (3)

Chris Keane/AP Images for Panini

Source: The New York Times

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Cincinnati Bengals cheerleaders reportedly must be "within three pounds of their 'ideal weight'" in recent years, according to The Times.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (4)

David Kohl/AP Images

Source: The New York Times, Deadspin

Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders also must go through regular weigh-ins. A former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader told Deadspin that "failure to comply with body weight and/or appearance guidelines could result in suspension from the team or game day suspensions."

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (5)

Alex Brandon/AP Images

Source: The New York Times,Deadspin

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Carolina Panthers cheerleaders can't take water breaks unless the team is on offense, The Times reports.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (6)

Mike McCarn/AP Images

Source: The New York Times

Carolina Panthers cheerleaders also can't change into their street clothes until they leave the stadium, The Times reports.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (7)

Rainier Ehrhardt/AP Images

Source: The New York Times

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Oakland Raiders cheerleaders are slapped with fines if they show up with the wrong pompoms, fail to polish their boots, or forget part of their uniform on game day, according to The Times.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (8)

Tim Ireland/AP Images

Source: The New York Times

According to The Times, cheerleaders for the Baltimore Ravens can't pose nude or semi-nude, work as exotic dancers, or be in any "tasteless films, photos, or bikini/swimwear contest."

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (9)

Patrick Semansky/AP Images

Source: The New York Times

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Carolina Panthers cheerleaders must cover up visible tattoos or body piercings, The Times reports.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (10)

Mike McCarn/AP Images

Source: The New York Times

San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders reportedly cannot tell people that they are affiliated with the team.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (11)

Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Images

Source: The New York Times

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The Times reports that, according to several NFL cheerleader handbooks, "wearing sweatpants in public is forbidden" on some teams.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (12)

Winslow Townson/AP Images

Source: The New York Times

Cheerleaders are also banned from posting "pictures of themselves in uniform," The Times reports.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (13)

David J. Phillip/AP Images

Source: The New York Times

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NFL cheerleaders are barred from associating with the football players themselves —that means no autographs or social media follows, according to The Times.

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (14)

Jack Dempsey/AP Images

Source: The New York Times

Are you a former NFL cheerleader with a story to share? Email acain@businessinsider.com.

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13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by (2024)

FAQs

13 stringent rules many NFL cheerleaders have to live by? ›

Even when they aren't on duty for their teams, cheerleaders are subject to specific franchise rules about their behavior. They are forbidden from fraternizing with players. They cannot speak with them, seek their autographs or follow them on social media. They must block players who follow them.

What are the strict rules for NFL cheerleaders? ›

Even when they aren't on duty for their teams, cheerleaders are subject to specific franchise rules about their behavior. They are forbidden from fraternizing with players. They cannot speak with them, seek their autographs or follow them on social media. They must block players who follow them.

How much do NFL cheerleaders get laid? ›

The base salary for NFL cheerleaders typically falls within the range of $9 to $15 per hour for rehearsals, and for each game, they earn anywhere between $75 and $150. Additionally, they have opportunities for public appearances, such as the Pro Bowl and the yearly Combine, where they can earn an average of $50 to $75.

Can you have tattoos as a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? ›

Our policy is that even the smallest of tattoos may not be visible in the uniform or in rehearsal attire. For tattoo coverage, there are many effective products available at stores or online.

Can Eagles cheerleaders have tattoos? ›

All other body piercings are discouraged. We suggest you cover any visible tattoos with make-up. Eagles Chicks must cover all tattoos during games and promotional events.

Can NFL cheerleaders smoke? ›

There are others who don't allow them to walk around the stadium in their uniforms either, meaning once they remove their uniforms, they must leave the stadium. Further still, is the fact that they are not allowed to eat, drink or smoke while in uniform.

Can an NFL player date a cheerleader? ›

Team-Specific Policies and Codes of Conduct

These codes may include provisions that address relationships between players and cheerleaders. Some teams prohibit any form of romantic involvement between the two parties to maintain a professional environment and avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Do NFL cheerleaders get Super Bowl rings? ›

It's not just players and coaches! Team owners have latitude to offer a Super Bowl ring to anyone they want to and that often includes cheerleaders and even janitors.

How much does a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader make a year? ›

Known as 'America's Sweethearts', the Cowboys' cheerleaders are among not just the most popular in the NFL but sports across the nation in general. To that end, most of them earn $15-20 per hour, or $500 per match i.e., their yearly income sits at around $75,000.

Has a Dallas Cowboy ever married a cheerleader? ›

After cheering, Niki went on to marry former Cowboys punter Toby Gowin and cheered for him from the stands. She jokes that it's fun to remind him that she went to the Super Bowl and he didn't.

How long can you be an NFL cheerleader? ›

Most NFL cheerleading squads are a part-time job. Often, cheerleaders have completed or are attending a university, and continue on to other careers after cheering for one to four seasons. The members participate in practice, training camp, games, appearances, photo shoots, and charity events.

Do you need a college degree to be a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? ›

There is no academic requirement, although all cheerleaders must be over 18. Being an NFL cheerleader requires a great deal of time, so being in high school full-time can make it awfully difficult to do what is needed from the job.

Do Dallas cheerleaders wear bras? ›

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader costume has been attractive and a pleasure to look at. The women are dressed in blue and white cheer set along with a push-up bra that accents their breasts to make them look mesmerizing. The cheerleaders hold onto pompoms to cheer their team on the ground.

Can cheerleaders have their hair down? ›

HAIR MUST BE SECURED away from the face & eyes and off the shoulders, such as in a ponytail. (See Clarifying Hair Rules below, including bow expectations). NO GLITTER is allowed on the face, hair or uniform. TUMBLING OR STUNTING is prohibited at sectional, district, and state wrestling tournaments.

Who are the best cheerleaders in the NFL? ›

According to Betway's rankings, the most popular NFL cheerleading team on social media are the Cincinnati Bengals cheerleaders, the “Ben-Gals.” The Dallas Cowboys' cheer team ranked in second and the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders rounded out the top 3.

What are the requirements to be an NFL cheerleader? ›

To be eligible to apply for a NFL cheerleading squad, candidates typically need to meet certain basic requirements. These may include: Age: Most teams require candidates to be at least 18 years old, with some having upper age limits. Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is usually required.

Are NFL cheerleaders allowed to talk to NFL players? ›

They are strictly prohibited from having personal, private, or social relationships with players, meaning no dating, talking, chatting on social media, or physical contact. Violating these rules can lead to fines, or in the worst-case scenario, they can lose their jobs.

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