For many years, the Minnesota Vikings were the only team in the NFC North to have a cheerleading squad, but now a division rival will add them to mix.
The Minnesota Vikings are very proud of their team. Not only do they have a promising coaching staff and young, upward-trending roster, but the team is succeeding much sooner than many expected. However, the team is also very proud of another part of their franchise.
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Since 1984, the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders have helped to get the fans and team fired up as well as helped out in the community. They have hosted training camps, held charitable events and participated in many community functions. These cheerleaders have become a stable in Vikings culture.
For many years, Minnesota was the only team in their division to have cheerleaders. The Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions decided not to go that route. But one team in the division has decided to change that.
According to the official Detroit Lions website, their franchise will now have cheerleaders.
"“The Ford Family is unwavering in their commitment to improving the Detroit Lions fan experience on and off the field,” said Detroit Lions Team President Rod Wood. “After thorough consideration and receiving input from our fans through season ticket member surveys and focus groups, we believe that this is an opportunity to elevate our game day entertainment.”"
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The Detroit Lions have hired Rebecca Girard-Smoker to be the Director of Detroit Lions Cheerleaders as well as the group’s coach. Rod Wood is hoping their cheerleading group can do similar things to what the Minnesota Vikings group has accomplished.
"“We have maintained all along that if we added cheerleaders it would be done the right way and hiring Rebecca is a great first step,” said Wood. “Her experience locally and nationally will ensure that Detroit Lions cheerleaders will be great representatives of our team as well as ambassadors to the community.”"
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Across the NFL, there are only 6 teams which don’t have a cheer squad: the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Detroit Lions joining the Minnesota Vikings as having official cheerleaders, that still leaves two teams in the NFC North without an official crew. Maybe those two other divisional teams will make the change as well in the future.