Ashlee Ford, located in Dallas, Texas, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders serve as a beacon for women worldwide who dream of joining their ranks. The cheerleading team has become an emblem of Americana, and one hopeful is Kelly Brice from Bossier City. In her words, earning a place among the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) would be “an absolute dream come true.”
The DCC has been entertaining fans across the nation and overseas for nearly five decades, and their motto says it all: “Often imitated but never equaled.” The journey to the spotlight isn’t easy, and it takes a lot of determination and resilience to earn the right to don the famous uniform.
According to Jennifer Amburn, a privileged uniform wearer, the audition phase could be nerve-wracking for the candidates, especially since their performance could determine their future with the team. The journey began with over 200 women auditioning at the AT&T stadium, moving on to the semi-finals.
Ashlee Ford, a Byrd High School graduate and one-year veteran of the team, mentioned that this stage is a dream for every cheerleader. Despite coming from Shreveport, Louisiana, and facing limited opportunities, she made it through, demonstrating that it’s possible for anyone with enough confidence and perseverance.
The final stage will see Ford competing against current candidates if they can make it that far. The contenders are diverse, ranging from strong, confident women to accomplished professionals, including bio-medical engineers, nurses, and more.
Kristi Scales, a DCC judge and sideline reporter for the Dallas Cowboys radio network, highlighted that the audition process scrutinizes more than just physical prowess. It also involves a written test and a panel interview since these women are expected to represent the team and the community.
The audition process isn’t easy, and only around 45 hopefuls will be invited to the training camp, with just 36 making it to the final team. However, the #MeToo movement and lawsuits regarding pay and uniforms have attracted some negativity.
Sportswriter and DCC judge, Mickey Spagnola, emphasized that the public needs to understand and appreciate the talent and performance of these cheerleaders. The shift in perceptions began in 1972 when the Cowboys won the Super Bowl, and General Manager Tex Schramm saw the potential of football games’ entertainment value.
Ashlee Ford, From there, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders emerged, extending their influence beyond the football field to Hollywood. The cheerleading team has made appearances in TV shows like “The Love Boat” and films, earning the title of “America’s Sweethearts.” For Ford, joining the team meant more than just being part of a kick line; it opened up a platform for expression.
Most of the time that I get to spend with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders isn’t during auditions or games. It’s usually at events or when I’m hosting them. I’ve even been to Fort Hood in Killeen to put on events for children there,” shared Scales, who frequently reports on the cheerleaders’ performances.
Ashlee Ford, Out of the 32 NFL teams nationwide, only six do not have cheerleading squads. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders keep expanding their brand.
To emphasize your point, many former DCC members have become directors of other team’s cheerleading groups,” interjected Spagnola.
The team’s historical significance was cemented last year when their iconic uniform was displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. After nearly five decades, this uniform still draws admiration.
Scales explains, “The moment they don the unvarying, they feel like superheroes. It’s as if they gain a special power that helps them connect with the community and embody the Dallas Cowboys brand.”
Even in the face of the #MeToo movement and legal disputes, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders continue to shine in their unique way.
While some accuse NFL teams of objectifying cheerleaders, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are renowned globally.
Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Charlotte Jones Anderson and DCC Director Kelli Finglass work tirelessly to preserve the image meticulously built over four decades, starting with intense auditions.
One hopeful participant expressed, “It would be a dream come true. I’ve been striving for this for so long, and I’d be over the moon if I made it.”
However, only when one dances in these boots can the true influence of being a Dallas Cowboy’s Cheerleader be fully understood.
Brenda Teele, a KTBS anchor, is one of the judges, but it’s still unknown if Ford or Brice made the team. The new team will make their first appearance at the Cowboys’ initial preseason home game on August 29 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The new season of “Dallas Cowboys – Making the Team” will premiere on August 2 on CMT.
Exploring the Depths of Trauma and Secrets in Ashley C. Ford’s Memoir ‘Somebody’s Daughter’
Ashley C. Ford’s memoir, ‘Somebody’s Daughter’, is a poignant tale of her growing up years as a Black girl in Indiana with a father who served time in prison
In her debut memoir, “Somebody’s Daughter,” Ashley C. Ford carries the reader through her unique life experiences as a Black girl in Indiana, born to a father serving time in jail and a mother barely scraping by. Ford, an accomplished writer known for her evocative essays and insightful cover stories featuring celebrities like Missy Elliot and Serena Williams, brings forth a narrative that, while often common amongst young Black individuals, is far from normal.
“Somebody’s Daughter” is Ford’s brave exploration of a childhood overshadowed by her father’s incarceration, abuse, sorrow, and the weight of unspoken family secrets. In an intimate conversation with NBC News, the 34-year-old author discusses her memoir and the liberating power of honesty.
NBC News: While your father’s incarceration forms the core of the book, it also encompasses your girlhood, adolescence, college years, and a bit of your present life. Would you say your father’s imprisonment fundamentally determined or shaped your life?
Ashley C. Ford: My father’s incarceration was a devastating blow to our family. It caught my mother at the young age of 22, already a mother and expecting her second child, with her husband behind bars. In a tragically short span, she went from living her dream to the harsh reality of single-handedly raising two kids with an imprisoned husband. The financial struggle, the shame of unearned circumstances – it was all too much.
Ashlee Ford, Witnessing my brother hug my father post his release, his first interaction with him since he was 12, was heartbreaking. Unlike my brother, I had the fortune of being held by my father as a baby, although I don’t recall it. His imprisonment and the inherent cruelty of the prison system in our country was pretty usual. The uncommon aspect was his relentless effort to maintain contact with us, even when we failed to respond. This choice, although extremely difficult within the dehumanizing system, was his.
Incarceration of a family member, as I was told at a young age, can lead to altered perceptions and treatments by others. The fact that it wasn’t me behind the bars seemed irrelevant.
Mariame Kaba states that when one person is incarcerated, the whole family is. What do you feel is the most misunderstood aspect of having a jailed family member?
Ford: I believe the major misunderstanding lies in the difficulty of communication with an incarcerated individual. The unpredictable changes that can occur while a person is in prison – sudden relocations, loss of personal belongings – are often overlooked. It’s a situation where you barely have any control or allies.
