The 154 candidates for the 26-member Denver Broncos cheerleading squad Sunday afternoon needed more than high kicks and a beautiful smile.
Denver Broncos Cheerleaders have them potential squad cut down to 57 Finalist
They also might need a second job.
"We want beautiful women out there representing the team, but they have to be intelligent," said Teresa Shear, the Broncos' director of cheerleaders and game entertainment, as dozens of women clad in blue and orange practiced dance steps and twirls nearby. "They interact with the fans and represent the team."
Besides cheering at 16 regular-season games and the playoffs, the squad makes more than 100 other appearances and instructs the Broncos' Junior Cheerleaders.
Before the 56 finalists can make the team, they must undergo background checks, interview with team officials and take a test on their football knowledge.
PHOTOS: Denver Broncos Cheerleader tryouts
NFL teams won't discuss how much cheerleaders earn, but the low pay has become a controversy. Online petitions seek to raise the wages, noting the millions of dollars players and team executives earn.
Stephanie Anderson of Niwot was trying out for the fourth time. Her sister Brittany made it last year.
"I've been dancing since I was 2," said Stephanie, who also teaches dance. "It's in my blood."
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Some came from out of state for a shot. This is usually the case for many +NFL teams' cheerleader squads. It is very demanding on their schedule and it really is about their passion for the team, fans, and being there on game day. They make a lot of appearances as mentioned. Suffice it to say, it is no easy task to make a cut of the tryouts let alone, the squad and its difficult routines, ad-lib performances on game day and sticking through the tough and/or fun times. Some have used it as a platform for their careers, like Stacey Kiebler, amongst others.
Claire von Nieda said her company would relocate her job from Salt Lake City if she makes the squad. Gioia Bartalo came from Florida. Her father, Steve Bartalo, played running back at Colorado State before a stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"Being from Tampa, my favorite games were always the +Denver Broncos and the +Tampa Bay Buccaneers," she said.
Toni Gabrielli moved to Denver from Minneapolis two years ago as she made the squad, and within a week also had a job as a career counselor at the University of Denver (+Denver Pioneers)
"Fate kind of worked things out," she said.
The finals are next Sunday at 6 p.m. in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
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| Final Auditions Day 1 of 57 Finalist. Photo Courtesy: +Denver Broncos (AP) |
Denver Broncos Cheerleaders have them potential squad cut down to 57 Finalist
They also might need a second job.
"We want beautiful women out there representing the team, but they have to be intelligent," said Teresa Shear, the Broncos' director of cheerleaders and game entertainment, as dozens of women clad in blue and orange practiced dance steps and twirls nearby. "They interact with the fans and represent the team."
Before the 56 finalists can make the team, they must undergo background checks, interview with team officials and take a test on their football knowledge.
PHOTOS: Denver Broncos Cheerleader tryouts
NFL teams won't discuss how much cheerleaders earn, but the low pay has become a controversy. Online petitions seek to raise the wages, noting the millions of dollars players and team executives earn.
Stephanie Anderson of Niwot was trying out for the fourth time. Her sister Brittany made it last year.
"I've been dancing since I was 2," said Stephanie, who also teaches dance. "It's in my blood."
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| Karmen Nyberg of Sioux Falls, S.D., warms up with the other competitors during tryouts for the Denver Broncos cheerleading squad Sunday. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post) |
"Being from Tampa, my favorite games were always the +Denver Broncos and the +Tampa Bay Buccaneers," she said.
Toni Gabrielli moved to Denver from Minneapolis two years ago as she made the squad, and within a week also had a job as a career counselor at the University of Denver (+Denver Pioneers)
"Fate kind of worked things out," she said.
The finals are next Sunday at 6 p.m. in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
 |
| Laura Casper of Lake Forest, Illinois applies mascara during tryouts for the 2014-2015 Denver Broncos cheerleaders. More than 100 women showed up and 57 finalists were selected for the 26 spots on the team at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday, March 30. (Photo By Aaron Ontiveroz/ +The Denver Post |
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Update:
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Got this tweet, and YES, just because they are the +Oakland Raiders Cheerleaders. +BRONCOS CR3W received a text with the link to the Raiders Cheerleaders website and really speaking on behalf of all +NFL Cheerleaders. This is a $ billion industy and they are paying these extremely great, talented, diligent women. They are serving the community in so many aspects as well. The least we could do is relay the word. We are not remotely 'Silver & Black' but some things are just dilusional and irrational. The +Denver Broncos CR3W can see between the lines. We are ORANGE & BLUE 'til the end, but they deserve some acknowledgement. What is going on in the +Oakland Raiders Cheerleaders is an embarassment to that organization, the +NFL, and their commissioner +Roger Goodell no matter their lawyer excuses.
After all, the Raiders Cheeleaders look far better and entertaining on that field than the Raiders themselves.
Go :D
Update:
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Got this tweet, and YES, just because they are the +Oakland Raiders Cheerleaders. +BRONCOS CR3W received a text with the link to the Raiders Cheerleaders website and really speaking on behalf of all +NFL Cheerleaders. This is a $ billion industy and they are paying these extremely great, talented, diligent women. They are serving the community in so many aspects as well. The least we could do is relay the word. We are not remotely 'Silver & Black' but some things are just dilusional and irrational. The +Denver Broncos CR3W can see between the lines. We are ORANGE & BLUE 'til the end, but they deserve some acknowledgement. What is going on in the +Oakland Raiders Cheerleaders is an embarassment to that organization, the +NFL, and their commissioner +Roger Goodell no matter their lawyer excuses.
After all, the Raiders Cheeleaders look far better and entertaining on that field than the Raiders themselves.
@BRONCOSCR3W More on NFL's #ForcedArbitration in women's wage theft case: http://t.co/s1K4Bv3Tgg
— FairPayInTheBay (@Origin1859) April 3, 2014
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