The secret is out: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders could give any football player on the field a run for his money as far as toughness goes.
“It’s a very demanding job and injuries certainly come with dance,” said Kelli Finglass, longtime squad director and former cheerleader. “We have a trainer and we spend more time now on injury prevention.” With 36 women executing flawless moves in tight synchronicity, “it can be quite aerobic,” Finglass added. “Requires a lot of stamina, a lot of strength and a lot of flexibility.”
And that’s just once you’re on the team. The application process involves virtual interviews, auditions, a 90-second routine, and a full-on, group performance at AT&T Stadium. Only then are candidates invited to the seven-week training camp, where they learn roughly 50 dances.
Becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader is a goal for many women. “The performances they experience are unlike any other,” Finglass said. They’ve performed alongside big names like Dolly Parton and Queen with Adam Lambert. Beyond the glam, there are “great intimate moments of friendship,” added Finglass. From witnessing engagements to being part of weddings, “these personal sisterhood-like experiences” are cherished.
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Jump Splits Look Painful Because They Are: The cheerleaders’ signature jump splits take their toll. Alum Caroline Sundvold needed surgery after four seasons of jump-splitting. “A hip surgery like that is a good three to six months recovery,” said Caroline. She pushed through another year before surgery. Surprisingly, foot surgery was more traumatic. “From the banquet until now I’ve just been recovering a lot,” she shared.
Meanwhile, Madeline Salter documents her treatments for tension headaches and foot issues on Instagram. “Our focus is primarily correcting facial layers that can cause pain, stiffness, or loss of range of motion when injured or overworked,” noted her chiropractor.
Don’t Quit Your Week-Day Job: NFL cheerleaders make about $75 to $150 per game, according to ESPN in 2017. Cheerleader pay has since risen to close to $400 per game, plus hourly wages for prep and appearances. “I’m making, like, Chick-fil-A worker that works full-time money,” said DCC alum Kat Puryear.
Calendar Girl: Megan McElaney, returning for a fourth season, juggles three jobs, starting her day at 6:15 a.m. After her full-time marketing job and makeup artist gig, it’s off to AT&T Stadium for evening practice, which ends at 11 p.m.
Custom uniforms tailored for each cheerleader’s shape eliminate an era obsessed with body image. “Trying to make that uniform fit, we don’t talk about weight,” Finglass said. Nutritionists and mental health experts are available, and the women are free to focus on their own regimens.
Though the star-spangled uniforms debuted in 1972, the institution hasn’t changed much. “Everything around the cheerleaders has changed,” Finglass said. “They’re adapting to many things like social media and visibility. But at the core, they are world-class dancers.”
The cheerleaders must also follow strict aesthetic rules. No red lips or nails, hair must be worn down, and tattoos must be masked with makeup and bronzer for games. Regardless of perfect legs, nude hosiery is a must for games.
They are also pillars of the community. From USO tours to hospital visits, the DCC are involved in numerous charitable activities, according to choreographer Judy Trammell. “We do so much more than has ever been seen.”
There’s a support system for former cheerleaders. “A very active and engaging alumni association called The Spirit of DCC,” said Finglass. The transition from nightly rehearsals to civilian life is significant, so alumni activities help maintain those cherished bonds.
With more eyes than ever on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the squad is revealing the not-so-glamorous secrets behind their iconic smiles and perfect routines.
