Greg S Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 The Washington Football Team is turning in their cheerleading squad for a coed dance team By Lauren M. Johnson, CNN Updated 2:15 PM ET, Wed March 3, 2021 Washington Football Team cheerleading squad will be replaced with a coed dance team. (CNN)Starting next season, Washington Football Team (WFT) fans will no longer see a traditional NFL cheerleading squad on the field, instead, they will be entertained by a coed dance group. The franchise is removing its cheerleaders from the field after 50 years as part of its rebranding effort, which include dropping Redskins, and a re-imagined approach to fan engagement and game day experience, according to a news release. The team has hired, Petra Pope, who has a background in NBA entertainment, to be the new senior adviser for the team's game day experience. Pope told ESPN that the WFT wants to create a "more modern franchise" focused on diversity and inclusion. "The NBA has long embraced innovative dance and halftime shows, but most NFL teams have remained more oriented towards traditional cheerleading programs," Pope said in a statement. Content by Thrive Market Healthy living that’s easy and affordable Thrive Market, an online membership-based market on a mission to make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone. "Fans can expect an experience like none other -- a gender-neutral and diverse squad of athletes and dancers whose choreography, costumes, props, tricks and stunts will rival the best entertainment across genres and really inspire and 'wow' our fans." The team's president, Jason Wright, who was named the first Black president in the NFL last year, said in a statement that the team's aim is to create entertainment similar to what fans find at an NBA game. 4 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJB Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 (edited) I'm afraid of potentially seeing something like this... Edited March 4, 2021 by DJB 3 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan Huff Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Damage control 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 1 3 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Imagine this coming to my Buffalo.... Just imagine the look the 80 year old conservative Catholics, who served in 'Nam seeing this during the game at the Ralph. "Get these knuckleheads off the field! Jesus Mary and Joseph, this is what's wrong with this country!" 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Bills Fan Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Seems like a really important issue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeviF Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Guess they found some executives with more diverse tastes. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Stampede Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 My time has arrived. 🕺 1 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southtown Tommy Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Oh boy - following the NBA in game experience model. It will be an assault on your senses. 2 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jobot Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 what ***** the! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 34 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said: Imagine this coming to my Buffalo.... Just imagine the look the 80 year old conservative Catholics, who served in 'Nam seeing this during the game at the Ralph. "Get these knuckleheads off the field! Jesus Mary and Joseph, this is what's wrong with this country!" And they would be right. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Otreply Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Can we not have some good old fashion violent sport without someone trying to homogenize it into an America’s got talent show... 🤮 5 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 2 hours ago, DJB said: I'm afraid of potentially seeing something like this... This is more likely the idea of what they have in mind 15 minutes ago, Don Otreply said: Can we not have some good old fashion violent sport without someone trying to homogenize it into an America’s got talent show... 🤮 I don't see why they need cheerleaders at all for a focus on "good old fashion violent sport" 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 3 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: This is more likely the idea of what they have in mind I don't see why they need cheerleaders at all 1 1 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg S Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logic Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 I just KNEW this topic would be filled with enlightened, modern viewpoints. 4 2 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokestradamus Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 I might start watching games again for this. 1 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teef Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 just exactly how short are the men's shorts going to be? should i be doing more squats or what? 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 9 minutes ago, Blokestradamus said: I might start watching games again for this. Is Stefon Diggs going to join the dance squad? Now that I WOULD watch. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleSammy Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 We old timers will recall the year when the Jills had Buffalo Jack. I think it was only for one season, but it was too long ago to be certain. Poor guy took a ton of abuse from us obnoxious fans in the end zone. Different time/different attitudes, for sure. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg S Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 19 minutes ago, LittleSammy said: We old timers will recall the year when the Jills had Buffalo Jack. I think it was only for one season, but it was too long ago to be certain. Poor guy took a ton of abuse from us obnoxious fans in the end zone. Different time/different attitudes, for sure. I am curious to see how Eagles fans will react to this. Didn't they boo and throw snowballs at Santa years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wppete Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 (edited) Wokeism! Edited March 4, 2021 by wppete 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: I don't see why they need cheerleaders at all for a focus on "good old fashion violent sport" I agree. At the high-school and college levels, fine, keep the cheerleaders. (And coed cheerleading squads aren't really all that new - some colleges have been doing it for many years.) But at the pro level, there's no point. They add nothing to the game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg S Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 Just now, WhoTom said: I agree. At the high-school and college levels, fine, keep the cheerleaders. (And coed cheerleading squads aren't really all that new - some colleges have been doing it for many years.) But at the pro level, there's no point. They add nothing to the game. How long has it been since the Jills were around? I don't see or hear anyone saying they want them back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpberr Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 1 minute ago, WhoTom said: I agree. At the high-school and college levels, fine, keep the cheerleaders. (And coed cheerleading squads aren't really all that new - some colleges have been doing it for many years.) But at the pro level, there's no point. They add nothing to the game. I agree. I'd only add that cheerleaders are traditionally the community ambassadors for the team and that NFL cheerleading is a pinnacle of excellence in the dance profession, even to a higher degree than being in music videos and being selected as a dancer for musician tours. It's an industry in itself. To be selected for an NFL cheerleading spot, not only are you likely an excellent athlete but you also dance professionally. You can't sweat or look like you are huffing and puffing through routines. Teams have gotten away from squads that consist mostly of models because there's no guarantee they are going to be able to execute the more complex choreography. Models can look pretty but be completely out of shape. Dancers have dancer bodies and they are trained to dance. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 I am totally fine with removing all non-football related entertainment from gameday experiences. When a game is playing, I only care about the game. I don't care about cheerleaders or dance crews, drum lines, etc. 1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: This is more likely the idea of what they have in mind People like watching that? Good for them, I guess. I feel the same way about cheerleaders, honestly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iccrewman112 Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Don’t know why pro teams don’t have marching bands from the local high schools or colleges perform at halftime. Pick the high schools in the spring so they have a ton of time to practice and give them each $25K toward arts/music and athletics programs. Win win for all parties involved. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Just shoot me now 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Well half of the WTF cheerleaders are safe now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plano Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 3 hours ago, BillnutinHouston said: And they would be right. does if affect you personally? No? move on. Really simple. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern_Bills Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 1 hour ago, WhoTom said: I agree. At the high-school and college levels, fine, keep the cheerleaders. (And coed cheerleading squads aren't really all that new - some colleges have been doing it for many years.) But at the pro level, there's no point. They add nothing to the game. It's usually a marketing tool honestly. The girls get paid low wages but it was a way to get your name/face/talent out there, no other reason to do it for what they were paid. Is not a positive in marketing anymore so that's a bust and the girls complain about the wages. So I would agree at this point it's a dead issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 2 hours ago, GunnerBill said: Is Stefon Diggs going to join the dance squad? Now that I WOULD watch. It should be a dance off between Diggs & Tre White. Now that alone would be worth the price of admission. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lv-Bills Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 2 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: This is more likely the idea of what they have in mind I don't see why they need cheerleaders at all for a focus on "good old fashion violent sport" Phew! This makes me feel better. Couldn't live without this at an NFL game. Total damage control. Hi my name is Daniel Snyder, and because I'm a jerk, I give you this to make you think I'm not a jerk. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 55 minutes ago, Lv-Bills said: Phew! This makes me feel better. Couldn't live without this at an NFL game. Total damage control. Hi my name is Daniel Snyder, and because I'm a jerk, I give you this to make you think I'm not a jerk. If that’s the intent it’s evidently a fail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paup 1995MVP Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 I always thought the Raiders cheerleaders were the hottest. Sexy with lots of T & A, and some edginess prancing around the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum!! Now that is a beautiful sight in my mind. I don't care what era we are now supposedly in!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokestradamus Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 2 hours ago, iccrewman112 said: Don’t know why pro teams don’t have marching bands from the local high schools or colleges perform at halftime. Pick the high schools in the spring so they have a ton of time to practice and give them each $25K toward arts/music and athletics programs. Win win for all parties involved. I saw the Ohio State band at Wembley a few years ago. One of the most enjoyable moments of the entire day. I adore this idea. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 4 hours ago, teef said: just exactly how short are the men's shorts going to be? should i be doing more squats or what? I really want to show you some of my Halloween costume photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 So do both the men and women on the team still get manuals on how to properly wash downstairs? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In Summary Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 "The Buffalo Bills, in conjunction with Shea's Buffalo, The Spirit of Youth, and Wegman's bring you a spectacular cultural event-filled Sunday starting at 9AM!! See local stars, taste exotic treats, hear the singing, see the dance, get your blood pressure checked, take a nap or talk business in your suite!! (Note: Game at 1pm may interfere with scheduled activities.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teef Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 45 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said: I really want to show you some of my Halloween costume photos. I don’t see anyone stopping you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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