The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About NFL Cheerleaders
You’re halfway through the week – you can do it!
We’re channeling our inner cheerleader to put extra pep in your step and bring you today’s Rundown.
We’ve got spirit yes we do,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five Things to Know About NFL Cheerleaders
- In the NFL, cheerleaders make on average $9/hour or $100-150 per game. In case you were wondering what other key players in a game make, the NFL rookie minimum salary is $435,000 and the average pay for concession workers is $10-14/hour. Many cheerleaders have a flexible job that allows them to maintain the vigorous schedule during the season. Some of them are teachers, nurses or full-time students.
- The women are required to maintain a certain look (think hair color, makeup, no weight gain) with fear that they can be benched without pay if any facet of the contract is violated. Some team’s cheer coaches conduct “jiggle tests” to assess the firmness of the cheerleader's bodies.
- The NFL’s most famous pom-pom wielding gals, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, have a vigorous application process that includes a written test with questions like “Who is the leader of North Korea? How many yards are assessed for a personal foul penalty?”
- A former Oakland Raiders cheerleader sued the team because she and her fellow cheerleaders were making an equivalent of $5/hour. She won her suit and the conversation around unfair wages for cheerleaders began. Many team are now paying their cheerleaders more in line with their state’s minimum wage, including the Raiders who upped the hourly rate to $9/hour (Jan 2015).
- There are six NFL teams without cheerleaders - Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers.
- Extra credit: This video is guaranteed to make you smile. Lots of team’s cheerleaders dressed up for Halloween (think sexy pilot or sassy cowgirl). Romi Bean of the Denver Broncos cheer team took it to a whole new, awesome level dressing up like a T-Rex. Yep. Then she absolutely nailed her dance routine – with little T-rex arms and pom-poms. Like a boss.
NFL (National Football League)
- What controversy? Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is set to return from an injury but his replacement Dak Prescott has killing it on the field. (Something Romo hasn’t done in a long time). Romo said he is in full support of the rookie keeping the starting job. Prescott has lead the Cowboys to a stellar record with only one loss. (The name Tony Romo might sound familiar because he used to date Jessica Simpson).
Soccer
- Rough road ahead. Team U.S.A. suffered its second loss in a row in World Cup 2018 qualifying, this time losing to Costa Rica. Qualifying games resume in March 2017 and the U.S. has a big hole to dig themselves out of to make it to the World Cup in Russia. Who wants to go to Russia anyway?
Overtime
- This weekend while fans rushed the field, Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard threw his helmet into the air to celebrate his team’s win over the Michigan Wolverines, only to lose his helmet in the chaos. Local authorities finally located his helmet on an Iowa fan who was wearing it around town to the all the bars. One man’s trash is another one’s treasure.
Sideline stat
- After a weekend full of upsets, the College Football Playoff rankings did a little shuffle Tuesday night. Clemson dropped from #2 to #4 after their loss. Ohio State jumped to #2 and Washington fell out of top four. How does your team rank? Check here.
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Ohio State Buckeye
- Michigan Wolverines
- Clemson Tigers
Coaches’ Corner
- Former college football star and WWE wrestler turned actor, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was named People Magazine’s 2016 Sexiest Man Alive.
The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up Edition - Getting You Up To Speed
If you thought your weekend was rough, be glad you weren’t playing college football or fighting in the octagon where mayhem ensued. Don’t worry, your Monday will be better.
Deep breath,
The Last Night’s Game Team
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UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
- Kind of a big deal. Conor McGregor once again lives up to the hype surrounding his fights. He knocked out Eddie Alvarez in the second round on Saturday night to be crowned the lightweight champion. McGregor became the first fighter to simultaneously hold two different championship belts (lightweight and featherweight). The fight drew a record $17.7 million in ticket sales for the first ever UFC event in New York.
NCAA Basketball (College)
- There goes the neighborhood. College basketball season began over the weekend. To celebrate the start of the college basketball season, ESPN will show 24 hours of live men’s and women’s college basketball starting tonight. We’re calling in sick with basketball fever. Games begin at 6 pm EST. Want the full schedule? It’s right here.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- It’s getting good. In the Chase for the Cup, Joey Logano won the race in Phoenix securing his spot in the final round of four which takes place Sunday. The other drivers in the final round are Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards.
Soccer
- Adios amigos. Team U.S.A men’s soccer team lost on Friday to Mexico in World Cup qualifying game. They will play an important game against Costa Rica on Tuesday.
Overtime
- This weekend the NFL (National Football League) observed Veteran’s Day by honoring veterans in its “Salute to Service.” The Carolina Panthers took it a step further by putting decals on their helmets representing the initials of a fallen soldier that they were playing for. The team provided each of the players with the story of their solider to understand their sacrifice. The players signed the helmets and sent messages to the families of the fallen soldiers.
Sideline stat
- It was a tough weekend to be a top 10 ranked college football team with three of the top four teams losing (Clemson #2, Michigan #3, Washington #4). There are only two undefeated teams left in college football – Alabama (#1) and Western Michigan (#21).
Coaches’ corner
- In the most dramatic ending since The Bachelorette finale, the Denver Broncos blocked the New Orleans Saints extra point and ran it back to score and win the game. In the NFL, the defense can return a blocked extra point, which happens after a touchdown, for two points. Like The Bachelorette, there are many ways to score in football.
The Rundown: Weekend Preview Edition - Hug A Veteran
Today is Veteran’s Day where we honor those who have fought for our freedom. Take the time to thank a veteran for their service. If you want to talk to them about sports, we have you covered for that too.
There’s something for everyone,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – It’s Friday and that means it’s time for a tailgate treat! Today’s feature is Warm Artichoke and Bacon Dip. Did someone say bacon?
NFL (National Football League)
- No vacancy. The vote to raise the hotel tax to pay for the San Diego Chargers’ new stadium failed in this week’s election. The future of the team remains uncertain. As you may recall, the Chargers we’re approved by the NFL owners to move the team to Los Angeles and share a stadium with the newly anointed Los Angeles Rams. The Chargers have until January 15th to make a decision to move to L.A. or not.
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
- The wait is over. This weekend will feature the first UFC fight ever in New York – UFC 205. Headliner Conor McGregor is the organization’s top money maker. To prove it, he’s been driving around the city in a Rolls Royce with a custom paint job featuring his face and nickname “Notorious.” Here's the fight card (a menu of who’s fighting). Don’t be surprised if the women’s fights end up being the best. Click here for our Five Things to Know About UFC.
NCAA Basketball (College)
- Aloha basketball. College basketball begins today with four teams playing in this year’s Armed Forces Classic in Hawaii. One of the teams, The University of Arizona, will wear special “U.S.S. Arizona” uniforms to honor the ship that sank in the battle at Pearl Harbor. For the full college basketball schedule, click here.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- Race to the finish. Sunday will be the last chance for six drivers to claim the final two spots in the elimination-style playoffs - the “Chase for the Cup.” A total of four drivers will move on to the final round to race for the title of “NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion.” (Drivers Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards have already claimed their spots in the final round with previous wins).
Overtime
- Florida International University tight end Jonnu Smith is out the rest of the season with an injury that was not sustained through football. His girlfriend dumped a pot of boiling water on his head during an argument. Yowza! She is five months pregnant with their child and now faces felony assault charges.
Sideline stat
- Today is one of the most important rivalry games for Team U.S.A. as they look to qualify for the 2018 Soccer World Cup. They will take on southern neighbor Mexico in Columbus, OH. Team U.S.A. has beaten Mexico 2-0 in the last four World Cup qualifying matches played in Columbus. The game can be seen on Fox Sports One at 8 pm EST.
Coaches’ Corner
- It was purely coincidence that the Cleveland Cavaliers made the traditional NBA Champions trip to the White House on the same day as the new President Elect. There was no talk of politics, only praise from President Obama for the Cavs who overcame an insurmountable deficit in last season’s finals to beat the Golden State Warriors.