Random Sexist Rules NFL Cheerleaders Have To Follow (16 items)

• 

  (#9) Handbooks Warn Cheerleaders To Avoid Assault And Rape, As It May Ruin Their Reputation

  Across the board, handbooks discourage cheerleaders from fraternizing with football players. However, the Raiderette’s handbook takes it one step further by explaining:

  “There have been a few relationships between the two groups that have resulted in a few happy marriages and lovely children. However, we have also had more situations where, quite frankly, the Raider organization and the Raiderettes narrowly escaped ruined reputations.

  One such example concerns a player who gave Halloween parties every year and many of the Raiderettes attended. The same player was suspended from the team for drug use, but also arrested for date rape. For you on the squad who have attended those parties, just think how narrowly you missed having your photo in all the local papers and/or being assaulted!”

  The handbook basically discourages cheerleaders from socializing with players because they could be assaulted and/or raped, thus ruining their reputation. The logic is obviously very backwards and very dated.
• 

  (#12) The Cheerleaders Are Never Off The Clock, Even When They Are Going To Sleep

  For NFL cheerleaders, there is no such thing as off the clock. One handbook actually reads:

  “Even when you are not working in your capacity as a Raiderette, you are still representing the Oakland Raiders. It is imperative that whenever you leave your home you look 'put-together' so when someone recognizes you (and they will) they can say, 'Raiderettes always look fabulous.' We’ve all seen the stars in the tabloids that don’t look their best. Cell phone cameras are everywhere — be camera-ready!”

  So, cheerleaders have to be camera-ready literally all the time. On top of that, some handbooks mandate that all cheerleaders wash off their makeup before bed.This is recommended by pretty much all dermatologists, but putting it in a handbook makes it part of the job, which is invasive.
• 

  (#1) Cheerleaders Were Forced On A Weekend Long "Photo Shoot" That Required Them To Pose Topless And Act As Escorts

  In 2013, the Washington Redskins required their cheerleaders to take a trip to Costa Rica purportedly for a photo shoot. As soon as the cheerleaders arrived, officials collected their passports, making it effectively impossible for the cheerleaders to leave on their own accord. They were then told they had to participate in a 14-hour calendar photo shoot that included mandatory nudity. Male representatives from various Redskins sponsors were allowed to view the shoot up close.

  After the shoot, officials gave nine of the cheerleaders a "special assignment." They were essentially forced to act as escorts to a nightclub for several of the male sponsors. Despite the fact several of the chosen women began crying, they were forced to go through with the task for the sake of keeping their job. While the cheerleaders were not forced to have sex, they all felt incredibly disrespected and uncomfortable with the situation. 
• 

  (#16) If A Cheerleader Wants To Date A Player, It's Her Responsibility To Find Out If He's Married

  The Raiderette’s handbook further discourages relationships or even being friendly with football players with, “At events where Raider players are present, NEVER go up and gush all over a player, ask for an autograph or hang on his arm for a photograph.” The handbook adds, “You want to avoid putting yourself into an embarrassing situation or become an embarrassment to the squad because of inappropriate actions on your part.”

  However, the handbook also provides some instruction in the event that a cheerleader does inadvisably hit it off with a football player: “Make a point to find out if a player is married. In most cases, he won't tell you! You can call the Raider office with questions as to marital status and I encourage you to do so. Again, he will not tell you he's married!”

  Essentially, it’s up to the cheerleader to make sure a football player, presumably pursuing said cheerleader, isn’t married.
• 

  (#11) There Are Extremely Detailed Instructions On Physical Appearance

  It seems every cheerleading team’s handbook provides some serious instructions about their physical appearance. The handbook for the Ben-Gals states, “Stay away from frosted lipsticks and eye shadows. Management will determine your proper color analysis." It also adds, "Glamour is a priority!"

  The Buffalo Bills cheerleading team – named the Buffalo Jills – are instructed that their nails “must be maintained with a French manicure or natural polish.” The Buffalo Jills are also instructed that, “A full curled or slightly bent, free-flowing style is required. Short hair must be worn full and fabulous!”

  The Raven’s cheerleaders are told they “must have a warm skin color tone for every gameday.” In order to achieve this look, tanning vouchers, along with gym memberships and teeth whitenings are given to the cheerleaders. The only catch is that there are a limited number, so these perks go to senior cheerleaders. Newbies who don’t receive discounted for free tanning appointments or teeth whitenings are expect to get these services and pay for it out of their own pocket.
• 

  (#6) The Rulebooks Reminds The Cheerleaders Just How Unimportant They Are, Despite All The Hoops They Have To Jump Through

  Likely to avoid lawsuits, handbooks remind cheerleaders just how unimportant and expendable they are. This way, cheerleaders will be discouraged from asking for raises, demanding better conditions, or taking legal actions, as they are aware that the franchise doesn’t need them. One handbook reads:

  “Remember, as important as you are to our organization, football is the name of the game. Fans would come to see the games whether or not we had cheerleaders. There are some great teams who do not have cheerleaders, such as the 2010 Champion Green Bay Packers. They are sold out every Sunday. Some teams who previously had cheerleaders do not now have them (Chicago Bears). Because of morality problems with their squads they decided cheerleaders were too much trouble to deal with.”

  What’s odd is that these handbooks ask for endless commitment from the cheerleaders, then also tell the cheerleaders they aren’t important to the franchise.

New Random Displays    Display All By Ranking