THE Arizona Cardinals have drastically cut the amount of time that cheerleaders spend on the sidelines.
The team’s cheerleaders were reportedly removed from the sidelines for Monday Night Football.
The Arizona Cardinals have removed cheerleaders from their sidelines[/caption]
Cardinals cheerleaders only have 15 minutes of performance time now[/caption]
According to Arizona Fox affiliate Fox10, the cheerleaders only performed during breaks in the game.
They say this is because of new premium seating that was installed in the stadium.
The current team of cheerleaders and former Cardinals cheerleaders were shocked by the decision.
Families of the cheerleaders said performances used to be close to three hours during games, but they were cut to 15 minutes at max.
The cheerleaders were only given four days notice of the change being made.
“I was a Cardinals Cheerleader many years ago,” Kim Denson told Fox10.
“The ‘94 and ’95 team when they first became the Cardinals.
“We added spice, girls, and something different than football.
“We worked our tails off. We put a lot of hours in. I’m very surprised.”
Cardinals games used to have cheerleaders stationed at all four corners of the field and in the end zone.
“I was an Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader from 2017 to 2021,” Davis Berryhill said.
“We really led the crowd and kept the positive energy up regardless.
“If it’s a win or not, such a great game.”
“It does hurt my heart a little bit that they won’t be out there tonight.”
On Monday night, the cheerleaders reportedly had to watch the game from inside a locker room instead of on the field.
NFL important dates
August 1 – Hall of Fame Game – Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears
August 8 – Pre-season begins
August 27 – Deadline for 53-man rosters
September 1 – Final day of pre-season
September 5 – Season opener – Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs
November 5 – Trade deadline
January 5 – Week 18 of regular-season
January 11 – Playoffs begin
February 9 – Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana
“When I was on the team, seeing all the little girls in the stands was my favorite thing ever,” Berryhill said.
“For them to see a woman can be in professional sports. A woman can be in the NFL.
“I think having that representation of women is really important.”
Cardinals cheerleaders were brought out for a minute and a half, quarter breaks, and halftime.
Cheer teams for many other NFL teams are voicing their support on social media with the #KeepAZCCOnTheField hashtag.
