Why the New York Giants Do Not Have Cheerleaders

by Heath Rogers

Most people who know me know I am a big fan of NFL Football. I have a favorite team (Houston Texans), but I like the league as a whole and have a handful of teams that I follow and root for. I have always kind of liked the New York Giants. They won their first Super Bowl when I was a teenager. I liked watching Phil Simms drive the team down the field. LT (Lawrence Taylor) was the best outside linebacker to play the game, and Bill Parcells was a tough, no-nonsense coach. In recent years, the Giants have proven to be a thorn in the side of an otherwise flawless Tom Brady, beating his Patriots in two Super Bowls. The Giants are having a down year this season (as are my Texans), but they have a lot going for them.

I ran across an old article on Yahoo this week that brought my appreciation for the New York Giants to a new level. The article, written by Eric Holder, discusses the reasons that six NFL teams do not have cheerleaders. Honestly, I was surprised to learn there were as many as six. The teams are the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Pittsburg Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Detroit Lions. No surprise, seeing as how these are cold weather teams. However, the article went on to give various other reasons for the absence of a cheerleading squad. Notice what is said about the New York Giants:

"The Giants have always taken a blue-collar, button-down approach to football, and that way of doing business extends to the sidelines. 'Philosophically we have always had issues with sending scantily clad women out on the field to entertain our fans,' said John Mara, the Giants co-owner, in a 2010 New York Times interview. 'It's just not part of our philosophy.' He added that 'Some teams are comfortable with not only having cheerleaders but selling cheerleader swimsuit calendars or in a couple cases lingerie calendars. It's not something you're going to see the Giants do. Not while I'm around, anyway.'"

No, John Mara is not a gospel preacher, elder, or even a member of the Lord's church (to my knowledge), but he sure hits the nail on the head. How refreshing to hear a leader in the NFL acknowledge two truths about cheerleading: 1) cheerleaders are not dressed in a proper manner, and 2) their purpose is to provide entertainment for the fans.

While some of the performances done by cheerleaders requires skill and athletic ability, I have grown tired of people trying to pass cheerleading off as a sport. Cheerleading is not popular because it is a "sport." Cheerleading is popular because it is an opportunity to see "scantily clad" women bounce around and showcase their bodies for the fans in the stands. This "fact" is what John Mara and the Giants have an "issue" with. I do as well. So do many other faithful Christians.

The Bible instructs Christian women to "adorn themselves in modest apparel..." as "women professing godliness" (1 Tim. 2:9-10). It is impossible for a young lady to do this in a cheerleading uniform. Despite this fact, I have known of many Christian young ladies who were/are cheerleaders. They and their parents feel no shame as they prance out on the field in immodest uniforms to entertain the fans (provide an opportunity for them to lust).

I was impressed to read Mr. Mara's comments. The New York Giants may not be my favorite team, but they have moved up on my list of favorites. At least their owner is willing to take a stand for modesty and decency in a world that is sinking deeper and deeper into sin.