Becoming a professional NFL cheerleader is a dream for many who have a passion for dance, performance, and supporting their favorite football teams. While the path to achieving this goal is competitive and requires dedication, there are structured steps one can follow to increase their chances of success. Here’s a detailed report on the process, as outlined by various NFL teams and cheerleading experts:
Step 1: Understand the Requirements and Prepare
Eligibility: Must be at least 18 years old by the audition date. Generally, cheerleaders need to be high school graduates or have a GED. Some teams, like the Atlanta Falcons, require you to be either a college student or have a full-time or part-time job.
Physical Fitness: Cheerleading at the NFL level is physically demanding. Regular aerobic exercises for stamina, flexibility training through activities like yoga or Pilates, and strength training are essential. Specific skills include dance (jazz, hip-hop, ballet), tumbling (cartwheels, walkovers, flips), and cheerleading techniques like high kicks and jumps.
Educational Background: While not mandatory, classes or experience in dance, gymnastics, or cheerleading can significantly benefit your audition. Teams often look for candidates with a background in these areas to ensure they have the necessary skills.
Preparation: Attend cheerleader workshops or prep classes often offered by teams like the Kansas City Chiefs or Minnesota Vikings. These clinics provide insights into what the auditions will entail, including specific choreography you might need to learn. Work on your personal presentation, including hair, makeup, and attire that would fit the team’s aesthetic during auditions.
Step 2: Application and Preliminary Audition
Application: Most NFL teams require an online application to be submitted before the audition. This application might ask for personal details, your dance or cheerleading experience, and possibly a headshot.
Preliminary Audition: This stage usually involves learning and performing choreography in a group setting.
Teams like the Atlanta Falcons might require attendance at two auditions: a preliminary and a private one. Here, judges assess your dance skills, physical condition, and how well you fit into the team’s look and spirit.
What Judges Look For: Dance technique, showmanship, physical fitness, and the ability to quickly learn and perform new routines. Personality, enthusiasm, and how well you work within a team are also critical.
Step 3: Semi-Final and Final Auditions
Semi-Final Auditions: If you pass the preliminary round, you’ll move to semi-finals where the competition might be more intense. Here, you might perform more complex routines, solo performances, or even participate in interviews to gauge your speaking skills and team fit.
Final Auditions: This is the most crucial stage where finalists are selected. You could be required to perform in team-issued attire, learn new choreography on the spot, participate in interviews, and sometimes perform a freestyle segment to show your unique style. Teams might also evaluate your knowledge of the team’s history, current players, and the cheerleading director.
Step 4 of becoming a NFL cheerleader: Interviews and Team Fit
Interviews: Beyond physical skills, interviews are key. Judges look for candidates who can represent the team off the field as well. You’ll be assessed on your communication skills, community involvement, and how you handle questions about the team.
Team Fit: Chemistry with the existing team members is crucial. Cheerleading is about teamwork, so showing you can blend into the squad’s dynamic is vital. This step might not be explicitly outlined in audition processes but is observed through group interactions, rehearsals, and how candidates carry themselves throughout the audition day.
Step 5: Training, Contract, and Team Responsibilities
Training: Once selected, new cheerleaders undergo extensive training. This includes learning the team’s specific routines, cheers, and sometimes even public speaking or media training.
Contract: Cheerleading is generally a part-time job. Contracts outline expectations, performance requirements, appearances, and compensation. Pay can vary, but as per recent data, NFL cheerleaders might earn between $75 to $150 per game, with some teams offering hourly wages around $21.68.
Team Responsibilities: Cheerleading extends beyond game day. You’ll be expected to participate in community events, charity work, photoshoots, and promotional activities.
There are also strict team rules about appearance, behavior, and interaction with players or fans, which are part of maintaining the team’s image.
Additional Considerations:
Teams like the Atlanta Falcons provide uniforms and practice wear but expect cheerleaders to maintain these items at their own cost. The role requires a significant time commitment, often including rehearsals multiple times a week, game day performances, and additional appearances.
Becoming a professional NFL cheerleader is an admirable goal that blends athletic prowess with performance arts. The process involves understanding and meeting the physical, educational, and personal requirements set by various NFL teams. Preparation through workshops, maintaining peak physical condition, mastering dance and cheer skills, and excelling in interviews are all integral steps. Once selected, the journey continues with rigorous training, adhering to team policies, and embracing a role that extends beyond the game to community engagement. While the path is challenging, with dedication, passion, and the right preparation, aspiring cheerleaders can turn their dreams into reality in the vibrant world of NFL cheerleading.
