With all the effort cheerleaders put into looking their best on game days, it makes sense that they would want to snap a few pictures for their social media. Unfortunately, that isn’t possible.
Cheerleaders aren’t allowed to post pictures in their uniforms on social media. Basically, the girls are required to invest thousands into their appearance, and they can’t even show off the final product.
They Have to Show Up to Unpaid Events
In general, cheerleaders are paid almost nothing. In fact, one study found that cheerleaders make less than anyone in the football stadium, including the vendors selling hot dogs. Beyond those low wages, however, cheerleaders are also required to show up to events where they don’t get paid at all.
At times, the NFL will schedule appearances and other events where cheerleaders are required to attend. Sometimes they receive no money at all for these events, but will still face consequences if they can’t be there.
They Can’t Eat in Uniform
Once cheerleaders put on their uniforms, they basically have to pretend that they’re not human. They’re not even allowed to eat in uniform, even though they’re often at the stadium for entire days.
If someone offers food to a cheerleader in uniform, they’re instructed to say that they aren’t hungry. They also can’t smoke or drink anything except water while in uniform. It sounds like the NFL expects them to be robots as soon as they slide into those skimpy outfits.
They Can’t Complain or Gossip
While cheerleaders are abiding by these difficult rules, they can at least commiserate with their teammates, right? Wrong! Unfortunately, cheerleaders aren’t allowed to discuss the things they’re going through. Such conversations fall under the umbrella of complaints or gossip, which is strictly forbidden.
Cheerleaders are expected to take everything with a grain of salt and to avoid talking negatively about their experience or anyone else on the squad. With this rule, the expectation that the girls should be perfect angels continues to control their actions.
They Should Be Seen and Not Heard
The phrase “be seen and not heard” is generally considered to be outdated. Unfortunately, that mindset doesn’t apply to the NFL. While this phrase is often used to keep children in line, some NFL teams applied it to their cheerleaders.
Cheerleaders are expected to look nice, but to refrain from saying much of anything. They can’t express their opinions and generally should focus on looking good, rather than anything that might be going on inside their heads.