Fremont senior competing to become Dallas Cowboys cheerleader (2024)

By Ryan Comer, Standard-Examiner Staff - | May 6, 2015

ARLINGTON, Texas — Madeline Massingill knew after having already watched 124 aspiring Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders introduce themselves at the 2015 tryouts at AT&T Stadium that she needed to say something unique to set herself apart.

The 18-year-old Fremont High senior set to graduate next week thought of what turned out to be the perfect introduction.

“I said, ‘Hi, I’m Madeline Massingill, I’m from Farr West, Utah and I’m a Mormon,'” Massingill started.

The declaration was apparently a shock to Charlotte Jones, the daughter of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones who has been in charge of helping to judge the competition, because according to Massingill, her eyes suddenly got very big.

“‘I know what you’re thinking,'” Massingill continued. “‘No, my dad doesn’t have five wives,'”

Massingill knew the introduction had the desired effect when she ran into a producer later on.

“He wasn’t in the room when I introduced myself – and he said, ‘Are you the Mormon girl?'” Massingill said. “He said, ‘You were the talk of the room.'”

Massingill, who says she has danced ever since she knew how to walk and was a member of the Silverline drill team for three years, was one of 500 women to audition for a position on the Cowboys’ cheerleading squad at the preliminary tryouts last Saturday. Massingill survived the preliminaries as well as the semifinals and is one of 50 women remaining in the competition.

“It’s been an incredible experience,” Massingill said. “I’ve always wanted to dance professionally, take it somewhere else. I didn’t know who for. I thought about the Lakers and becoming a Lakers girl, but being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader was always in the back of my mind. They’re the best of the best. Why not go for it?”

Massingill will have a panel interview Friday followed by a solo routine Saturday to determine if she is one of 35 girls to advance to training camp, which will be held at Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas on June 1.

Massingill can also guarantee a spot at training camp if she wins an online vote.According to her mother, Misty Robbins, Massingill is currently in second place.

Part of the audition process to this point has involved taking a 90-plus question exam that quizzed the prospective cheerleaders on subjects ranging from Cowboys history to dance questions to current events.

“My dad is a Dallas Cowboys fan and he’s originally from Texas so I knew a few things, but not like in depth, so studying with my dad was fun because I got to learn things that even my dad didn’t know about the history,” Massingill said.

Massingill never found out what she got on the exam, but knew she had to have done well because she advanced.

Massingill’s mother finds herself awestruck by the enormity of the situation.

“We’re from Farr West, this small town, and I feel like she’s a confident girl and she’s worked really hard but then you get in a place of this enormity and the first day you’re, ‘Oh, my gosh! What have we gotten into?’ It’s crazy,” Robbins said.

Contact Standard-Examiner sports reporter Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net. Follow him on Twitter at @RyanComerSe and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RyanComerSe.

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Fremont senior competing to become Dallas Cowboys cheerleader (2024)

FAQs

How hard is it to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader? ›

DCC is widely considered the most difficult NFL cheer squad to make. Veteran squad members must re-audition every year. Finglass was the first cheerleader in DCC history who did not have to re-audition when she was selected back automatically for a fifth season.

How much do you have to weigh to be a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? ›

Are there any height and weight requirements? You should look well proportioned in dancewear. We DO NOT have specific height and weight requirements.

What is the average salary of a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? ›

For instance, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, aka America's Sweethearts, who happen to be one of the most popular groups in the NFL, earn about $15-20 per hour, or $500 per match. Therefore, their yearly salary comes out to about $75,000.

How do you become a 2022 Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? ›

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 2022 Online Auditions Submissions: May 2-10. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are accepting online submissions for their 2022 preliminary auditions from May 2-10 at dallascowboyscheerleaders.com. The DCC are also offering official Prep Classes and a Prep Intensive Weekend event in April.

Is a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader a full time job? ›

Is being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader a full-time job? No, most Cheerleaders hold part-time or full-time jobs or attend college.

How old is the oldest cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys? ›

How old is the oldest Dallas Cowboys cheerleader? The oldest woman ever to dance with the Cowboys cheerleaders was 37, according to Kelli Finglass, who directs the squad.

What is the ideal weight for a cheerleader? ›

That's a standing back flip. If you touched the ground at all you were out. TDA: Is there a height or weight requirement? Lowry: The average girl is between 4'11 and 5'3 and weighs between 95 and 125 pounds.

What do you need to be a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? ›

The DCC has no specific height and weight requirements. However, you should look well-proportioned in their dance wear. The judges will evaluate you based on your dance technique, enthusiasm, poise, showmanship, personal appearance, kicks, splits, energy, figure, and personality!!!

How much does a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader make 2022? ›

It stands to reason that all of their personnel – cheerleaders included – are paid well. And indeed, cheerleaders who work in the Cowboys' squad (called the “American Sweethearts”) are paid far better than others in the industry. Cowboy cheerleaders make around $15 to $20 per hour or around $500 per match.

How much do cowboys Waterboys get paid? ›

Thieneman's latest clip, which drew nearly 300,000 viewers in one day, claims that the average NFL water boy salary is actually around $53,000.

How much do Waterboys make for the Cowboys? ›

Former NFL player Jake Thieneman claimed in a TikTok clip that an average NFL water boy makes around $53.000, noting that the actual figure depends on the team's status and the applicant's experience. "Now, there's a misconception that these people just hand out water and towels," Thieneman said.

Who is the highest paid cheerleader? ›

1 - Teri Hatcher - $50 million

That's right, former Desperate Housewives star Hatcher was a cheerleader for the San Francisco 49ers back in 1984.

How long is Dallas Cowboys cheerleader training camp? ›

The reality show documents the 12-week training camp and the rigorous transformation of each cheerleader as they work towards joining the world's premier cheerleading team.

How to become a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader 2023? ›

Requirements
  1. Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of preliminary auditions.
  2. Must be a high school graduate (or graduating Spring 2020) or have a G.E.D.
  3. You must be able to attend all rehearsals and other related activities.
  4. International Applicants: When applying for any type of visa, please keep in mind that.
Dec 14, 2022

What is the average tenure of a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? ›

The average tenure is three years, but I know a couple of women who cheered for 10. They're the exception. Cheerleaders are athletes, and just like athletes in other sports, our bodies can only handle so many years. Sometimes, that pain stretches across multiple NFL seasons.

How long is the longest to be on the Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? ›

VonCeil and Vanessa Hold the record for longest tenured DCC at 8 years each. Vanessa fondly recounts the special memory of receiving her Master of Science degree on the Cowboys field during a 1977 matchup against the Broncos.

Can you make a living as a cheerleader? ›

However, professional or very experienced cheerleaders have been reported to make as high as $75,000 per season. This salary includes extra bonus money from playoffs and Super Bowl performances.

Who is the oldest female NFL cheerleader? ›

She is the former wife of businessman Mayo A. Shattuck III. She came to national prominence when she became the then-oldest cheerleader on record for the National Football League when she began cheering for the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders at age 38.
...
Molly Shattuck
Children3
6 more rows

Who is the most oldest NFL cheerleader? ›

NEW ORLEANS — Leonel Muralles, supervisor of corporate wellness for Ochsner Health System, proudly sports black and gold as a second-year member of the co-ed New Orleans Saints Cheer Krewe. At 43 years old, Muralles is officially the oldest cheerleader in the NFL.

Who is the oldest active NFL cheerleader? ›

Laura Vikmanis refused to let her age get in the way of her dream when she became an NFL cheerleader well into her 40s. Vikmanis had long dreamed of dancing for the Cincinnati Bengals but family life and her two children prevented her from doing so.

Is cheerleading hard on your body? ›

Another recent study found that cheerleading is the most dangerous sport for females because of the high risk for concussions and “catastrophic” injuries, which are classified as injuries that result in long-term medical conditions, permanent disabilities or a shorter lifespan.

What is the cut off age for cheerleading? ›

Junior: Ages five through 14. Senior: Ages 11 through 18 (Depending on the level.

How do you get a cheerleader body? ›

HOW TO GET A CHEERLEADER BODY
  1. 1) FIND OUT YOUR BODY TYPE & YOUR ROLE MODEL.
  2. 2) CHECK YOUR HORMONE LEVELS & FOOD INTOLERANCES.
  3. 3) COMBINE CARDIO, STRENGHT & DIET.
  4. 4) UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAT & WEIGHT LOSS.
  5. 5) SWAP FAST CARBS FOR PROTEIN.
  6. 6) SWAP FOR BETTER FATS.
  7. 7) BOYCOTT PROCESSED, WELCOME WHOLE FOODS.

How much does the Cowboy mascot make? ›

Unlike in college, mascots in the NFL can earn up to $60,000 a year. Only a very few professionals however are able to earn more than the proposed amount, if they signed worthy contracts with their teams. The Dallas Cowboys' Rowdy, for example, earns $65,000 per year, which makes sense as the mascot of 'America's team.

How much does a NFL ball boy make? ›

The average salary for an NFL ball boy is $36,300 per year.

Does the Water Boy get a Super Bowl ring? ›

The Average NFL Waterboy Gets Paid More Than You, And If Their Team Wins The Super Bowl – They Get A Ring.

How much do NFL refs make? ›

The NFL does not release salary figures for referees but, according to Sporting News, the highest paid NFL refs make $250,000 annually. NFL referees on average usually make about $205,000 per year.

How much does a NFL groundskeeper get paid? ›

How Much Do NFL Groundskeeper Jobs Pay per Hour? $13.46 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers. $18.03 is the 75th percentile.

How much do NFL nurses make? ›

How much does a Sports Medicine Nurse make? As of Jan 31, 2023, the average annual pay for a Sports Medicine Nurse in the United States is $110,365 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $53.06 an hour.

Can an NFL player date a cheerleader? ›

This means: no personal, private, or social relationships with the players are allowed, and by all means no dating. Talking, chatting on social media or physical contact with each other could end in cheerleaders being fined or in the worst case scenario, losing their jobs.

Can you be an NFL cheerleader if you have tattoos? ›

Some teams require cheerleaders to maintain a strict body weight, cover up tattoos and body piercings, and forego wearing sweatpants in public.

What is the most famous NFL cheerleading squad? ›

#1 Dallas Cowboys

"Dallas Cowboys Cheerleading; Making the Team." The Dallas Cowboys charities rely on their mission statement, which is built on a philosophy of helping those who don't have the strength, the resources, the means to help themselves.

How long does it take to become a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? ›

It's similar to the football players trying to make the Dallas Cowboys' roster, but the DCC training camp (10 weeks) is much longer than the players' training camp (3 weeks). A diverse group of women comprises "America's Sweethearts," and it's an arduous process to make the team.

What does it take to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader? ›

Qualifications and requirements:
  • You must be 18-years-old and above by the time the preliminary auditions begin.
  • International auditionees or non-citizens of the United States are welcome to audition. ...
  • You must look fit, healthy, and well proportioned when wearing dance apparel.

How hard is it to be an NFL cheerleader? ›

NFL cheerleaders must also have a professional appearance and outgoing personality. They must be able to dance; tumbling skills are preferred but not required. NFL cheerleaders must also have a clean criminal background and pass a drug test. NFL hopefuls must go through a rigorous audition process.

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