The NFL is a cut throat, highly competitive organization within the football realm. Any football player's dream is to eventually make it to the NFL. The dream of going pro. That goal requires incredible work ethic, motivation and preparation. These same goals align with dancers that soon hope to make it to the NFL as well…just on the sidelines. The beauty and heart of the football teams, engaging halftime performances and public appearances. The NFL cheerleaders. Throughout this review, I will be ranking the Top 5 NFL Cheerleading teams and cracking down on a concise list of criteria. I will be ranking them based on their practice schedules, tryout processes, field performances and outside engagement with the public. I am a highly qualified professional myself (Jenks Varsity Pom dancer), so you can trust my opinion as I say I am more than cut out to be ranking these teams. So, let’s jump right in.

If you think cheerleading is all sideline chants and sparkly uniforms, you would be highly mistaken. Cheer might’ve started out that way, but it has quickly changed to something vastly different. The world of cheer has evolved from fun filled cheering on the sidelines to a world of intricate routines, stunts, dances, and most importantly, injuries. 

Wake up, go to school, practice - an endless cycle for most athletes at Jenks. Our bodies have become so used to these routines to perfect our crafts. Imagine working hard every day, all year round, just to receive feedback that what you are doing is not considered a “sport.” Jenks Cheer members experience this kind of criticism on a day-to-day basis but have to keep pushing forward. Savvy Travis, Sophomore, on the Jenks Varsity Cheer Team, talks about how the public view on cheer has an impact on her team.