Super Bowl Cheerleading Controversy: Isolated Incident or Larger Issue?
A Ravens cheerleader has been making headlines for the reasons she says she was banned from cheering on Super Bowl Sunday.
The story of a Baltimore Ravens cheerleader who said she was disciplined for weight gain—and believes this is a reason she was left behind from the Super Bowl—has been making headlines across the country.
Cheerleader Courtney Lenz said she thinks her team didn't take her to the Super Bowl was because she gained 1.6 pounds.
The alleged snub led to supporters starting an online petition to reinstate her, The Huffington Post reported. The team has said they picked cheerleaders for the Super Bowl based on seniority, performance and personal conduct.
What do you think of Lenz's claim? Should cheerleaders expect their appearance to affect their job, or should it not be an issue? Does it bring up larger issues of female athletes and body image? Tell us in the comments.
Lyn Nielsen
7:30 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Is this a football game or a beauty contest? Is she good at what she does? Did any of the overweight football players get benched? Americans are so shallow in how they judge women by their bodies. We are watching a football game here people!!! I am disgusted with our emphasis on body image. If she was chosen to be a cheer leader then she should be cheering for the team. Queen Latefa help!! Oprah help! Both two beautiful women who are overweight but who cares. UGH!
Amy Buttiglieri
8:16 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Sounds fishy to me - the woman keeps changing her story. I bet there's more to it.
Proud Resident of Northborough
8:59 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Who cares? All she really cares about is getting her 5 minutes of fame, and the press is obliging magnificently.
Charlie Schnapps
9:10 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
I think she's getting her 5 minutes (maybe 15) of fame because weight and appearances are a bit of an obsession in our culture. If she gained 2 pounds I doubt that's why she's not cheering this Sunday. But if weight was a deciding factor: there is a certain image that professional cheerleaders are expected to maintain and I don't think it's unreasonable to cut or leave behind people who don't fit that image. If I had acne I'm not going to expect to be the "after" model in a ProActive commercial.
FF
9:18 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Welcome to corporate America in the workplace. If your a size 2 you can do no wrong.
If your not...you're days are numbered.
Peg
12:52 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
1.6 lbs. doesn't make a darn bit of difference. She was left behind for other reasons, she's trying to cash in on TV appearances and a possible discrimination lawsuit. The true story will all come out in the end.
Ray Fellows
5:45 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
I was wondering who would care about this story and why anyone would waste their time on writing it and then I saw it was from the Hufffington Post and that explained it all. I dont think I have ever read anything interesting or factual in that rag.