Cheerleaders who are in good standing with the team get the special privilege of being part of the team calendar. However, this privilege isn’t always as advantageous as it seems.
In 2013, the Washington Redskins took their cheerleaders to Costa Rica to shoot the calendar. After taking all their passports to ensure they couldn’t leave, the photographers forced the girls to pose nude. Not only were those moments captured on camera, but they were also observed by various sponsors of the Redskins who were allowed to watch the shoot.
They Can’t Eat Sweets
In addition to the mandatory weigh-ins, the leaders of the cheer team could also control what their women ate. Some choreographers were known for restricting the women’s diets based on their weight and then testing them on their ability to resist.
One cheerleader recounted a story where a choreographer restricted cookies from her diet, and the next day offered her a cookie just to ensure that she would say no. The move added insult to injury since the girl had already been reprimanded for her rising weight.
They Have to Follow a Certain Diet
Since cheerleaders have to achieve an “ideal weight,” some guidebooks offer regulations that will help to keep their bodies in check. One NFL handbook proclaimed that cheerleaders were only allowed to eat two meals per day, so they better “choose wisely.” The diet plan also limited the women to one slice of meat per day.
To keep in line with the expectations of the team, many cheerleaders survived on caffeine and weight loss supplements, rather than risking a weight gain by actually eating.
They Must Understand They Are Expendable
This is less of a rule and more of an insult on the part of NFL teams. Amidst the handbook that outlines everything cheerleaders can and can’t do, the cheerleaders are also told that they’re not really important to the game.
One handbook explained that the fans will come to see football whether the cheerleaders are there or not. Therefore, cheerleaders are told that their jobs aren’t important and that they can be replaced at any time. In order to be part of the team, they have to acknowledge that they’re completely expendable.
They Must Wash Off Their Makeup Before Bed
Most dermatologists recommend that women wash off their makeup before bed. It’s supposed to be better for your skin and it helps to ensure a clean face free of breakouts. Rather than offering up this advice as a recommendation, however, NFL teams make it a part of cheerleaders’ jobs.
Some NFL handbooks state that cheerleaders must wash off their makeup before bed. By putting it in the handbook it becomes part of the job, creating an even more invasive environment for the women.