These NFL Teams Don't Have Cheerleaders

Cheerleaders are a familiar sight in NFL games. TV networks often show cheerleaders on the sidelines, yet seven NFL teams don't have cheerleaders. While some teams may reintroduce them, others don't currently plan on using them.

7 Teams That Don't Have Cheerleaders

The New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers have no team cheerleaders. While some of these teams have had cheerleaders in the past and may do so again in the future, they did not employ them during the 2021 season. Only the New York Giants have never had cheerleaders.

World War II Changed Cheerleading

Cheerleaders have been a part of the college game from its beginnings, but cheerleading was seen as a male occupation. A cheerleader's job was to encourage fans to cheer — not provide sideline entertainment as they do today. That changed during World War II when men went to war and women took their places as cheerleaders. Colleges also saw cheerleading as a "wholesome physical activity" for young women in those days.

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Shake Things Up

In the early days of the NFL, men were cheerleaders who performed acrobatic routines – flips and somersaults. When the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders started in 1971, they changed cheerleading. Men were out, and so were acrobatics. Team officials set a minimum age of 18. Dance routines and skimpy costumes became the norm. Soon most teams in the NFL adopted the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders' look.

Curse of the Chicago Bears

Several teams have resisted using cheerleaders because they believed the Dallas Cowboys model objectifies women. George Halas, the legendary owner and coach of the Chicago Bears felt differently. He said that the Bears would have cheerleaders as long as he was alive. However, when he died, his daughter Virginia disbanded the "Honey Bears." Football fans are superstitious, and some Chicago Bears fans complain that since Virginia Hallas McCaskey disbanded the Honey Bears, the football Bears have not won another Super Bowl.

Green Bay and College Cheerleaders

The Green Bay Packers have adopted a curious position towards cheerleading. The teams' official squad was disbanded by coach Forrest Greg in 1988, claiming cheerleaders were a distraction to fans and players. However, if you went to a Packers home game this year, you would still have seen cheerleaders. These cheerleaders, however, come from local colleges, including the University of Wisconsin Green Bay campus, which is coed, and St. Norbert's all-girl college.