Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Who Cheered For Other NFL Teams

While watching a rerun of CMT’s DCC Making The Team (DCC MTT), I noticed rookie DCC Elizabeth who cheered for the Oakland Raiders last year before deciding to bring her talents to the Sweethearts for 2015.  This inspired me to blog about DCCs who cheered for other NFL teams before auditioning for the famous Cowboys squad.  Let’s start with Elizabeth who pursued her dream to be a DCC and now graces the sidelines at AT&T stadium.

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Carrie Stilwell is another former Raiderette who tried her hand at being a DCC.  Carrie was a DCC during the 2006-07 season after cheering in Oakland from 2004-2006.

         

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Way back in the 90s, Monica Cates was a Miami Dolphins cheerleader who became a prominent member of the DCC, making appearances and being featured in the squad’s swimsuit calendar video.

                   

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One former DCC who went on to have a successful career as a scout for the LA Lakers is Bonnie-Jill Laflin who cheered for the San Francisco 49ers before flying to Dallas to join the world renowned cheerleading squad in what she labeled as “a career move.”  I think it worked out for her.  See her with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and as a Lakers scout below.

                   

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Jackie Bob is another Bay Area cheerleader who fulfilled the goal of becoming a DCC.  Jackie was a Pro Bowl cheerleader for the 49ers Gold Rush.  After a stellar career as a DCC (Show Group and Group Leader) she represented the DCC in the Pro Bowl as well.  She is now a member of the DCC All Stars and still makes appearances on behalf of the organization.  Jackie is one of the highest regarded women in DCC history.

          

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If you’ve ever heard of the Purrfect Angelz you’ve heard of the traveling group of performers founded by former DCC Lisa Ligon who cheered for the hated Washington Redskins before coming to her senses and trying out for America’s Sweethearts.  Lisa is another one who became quite prominent and a fan favorite, even gracing the cover of the swimsuit calendar in the photo centered below.

       

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Another former Redskins cheerleader who did the right thing is Jennifer Franklin who left the nation’s capital for Texas in her successful attempt to wear the blue stars and crystals.   Jennifer cheered for the Cowboys in the late 90s.

                   

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In 2007 Gina Bechetti took a trek from Minnesota where she cheered for the Vikings to audition for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.  Gina made the team and cheered for one season before becoming homesick and moving back north where she went back to the Vikings squad.  But at least she won’t have to look back and say she didn’t live her dream.

         

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[RETRACTION:  The young lady formerly pictured here was Tomoko Mita who cheered for the Cowboys in the 1998 and 2000 seasons.  Credit to Sasha Williams of Ultimate Cheerleaders for the correction.]

One former DCC who also cheered for the Indianapolis Colts originated from Japan.  Her name was Yoshiko Danjo and her excitement at becoming a DCC was captured by the cameras on DCC MTT when she called home to Japan to spread the good news.

         

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Everybody remembers the heartfelt story of Deryn Derbigny whose family was displaced to Dallas by Hurricane Katrina.  Deryn made lemonade out of lemons by trying out for DCC after having spent several seasons on the Superdome sidelines with the New Orleans Saints where she was a Pro Bowl cheerleader in 2005.  Deryn adjusted to Dallas quite well, cheering for the Cowboys for 4 years and becoming a Show Group member.  She currently lives back in New Orleans, is a successful business woman, mother of an adorable little girl and will soon release a book about her experiences as a pro cheerleader.

           

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Deryn isn’t the only former New Orleans Saintsation to make the move to the DCC.  During the same era, Monica Cravinas uprooted herself from the Bayou State to North Texas to fulfill her aspiration to wear the short shorts and cowboy boots.  Monica also cheered in Dallas for several years and made the Show Group.  After her DCC days, she moved back to New Orleans, got married and she and Deryn remain friends for life.

          

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Carey DePasquale was an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader for seven years.  Apparently she got the seven year itch because she decided to continue her dance career in Big D.  She was a Pro Bowl cheerleader for the Falcons before trying her hand at the most recognizable dance squad in sports.

         

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One former DCC cheered for the in-state rival team before moving up north to America’s Sweethearts.  Vanessa Jenkins was a Houston Texans cheerleader before trading in her red and blue uniform for the blue and silver.  She cheered with the DCC during the inaugural season of AT&T Stadium then known as Cowboys Stadium.

         

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The next two have to be mentioned together because until this season they were inseparable.  Danielle Marie and Jasmine Raphaella both cheered for the New York Jets under the tutelage of former DCC Denise Garvey.  They came to the DCC together and both made the squad four years ago.  For three seasons they lived their dream together until this season when Danielle made the squad but Jasmine did not.  Danielle is enjoying her 4th season as a DCC and was featured prominently in the Star Magazine swimsuit edition this year.  Jasmine rebounded well and is now a dancer for the world champion NBA Golden State Warriors.

         

         

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Last season Courtney got a job in the Dallas area just to try out for the DCC.  Prior to that she had been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders.  DCC MTT chronicled her struggles as she had to quit her job because it was too stressful.  Her story had a happy ending as she became a member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for the 2014 season.

If there was ever any doubt, the above stories prove that the DCC are considered the pinnacle of the pro cheerleading world.  Many sports dancers don’t feel complete until they have at least tried to make it as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.

CHEERS.

 

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Books

     The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have been famous for over four decades and during that time they have made a lot of memories.  With memories comes stories to be told and several former DCCs have done just that.  But before I delve into those memoirs, let me mention my favorite book about the DCC.  Back in 1982 Mary Candace Evans wrote a book about the first decade of the DCC, a decade that included movies, TV specials, USO tours, Super Bowls and product endorsements.  The book was aptly called A Decade of Dreams and candidly explored the experiences of those ladies who pioneered the first 10 years of the world-famous squad.  This book was a fun read and even 30+ years later I recommend it to any DCC fan.

 

   Not every book written about the DCC was all sunshine and roses.  In 1991, the Scholz Sisters (Suzette, Stephanie and Sheri) wrote their own account of life as America’s Sweethearts called Deep In The Heart of Texas:  Reflections of Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.  There are several sister duos who have cheered for the DCC, but the Scholz women are the only trio that I know of.  Their book was full of hyperbole and included tales of drug use and fraternization with players.  Some of the storylines were so controversial that names were changed to protect the innocent.  Despite some obvious exaggerations, it was nice to read a book that at least attempted to balance the good with the bad.  Deep In The Heart of Texas was the first book I read that was told through the eyes of former DCCs themselves.

 

   A more recent account of life as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader came in 2012 when Leslie Shaw-Hatchard wrote What I Learned Half Naked:  Tales of a Pro Cheerleader.  Shaw-Hatchard, who cheered for the Cowboys in the 91-92 season before joining the Dallas Mavericks Dancers, went on to become a respected choreographer and dance teacher in the Dallas area.  Hers is another book that doesn’t focus solely on the good times as a pro cheerleader.  Although she cherished her time with the DCC, the book touches on some not so fond memories, such as in essence being told she wasn’t pretty by the DCC Director at the time.  Although “Half Naked” isn’t exclusively about the DCC, it’s a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the 90s DCC experience.

 

   There has even been a book written about the DCC by someone who wanted to become one but didn’t quite make it.  Remember the grandma who tried out a few years back?  Yep, she wrote a book about auditioning for DCC.  Fifty-five year old Sharon Simmons was in incredible shape when she tried out alongside girls nearly four decades younger than her.  Although she wasn’t successful, her attempt drew a lot of favorable publicity with interviews and TV appearances.  Eventually she penned her own version of the DCC audition process in Stilettos to Pom-Poms in 2013.

 

     DCC stories aren’t through being told just yet.  Yes, there is more to come in the future.  Former Sweetheart Deryn Derbigny became a DCC in 2006 and spent three years on the squad after four years as a New Orleans Saintsation.  Displaced to the Dallas area by Hurricane Katrina, Deryn turned lemons to lemonade, becoming a DCC fan favorite and Show Group member.  She later moved back to Louisiana and became a Honeybee for the NBA New Orleans Hornets.  All of this pro cheering has prompted Deryn to write her own book as she recently signed a deal with VIP Ink Publishing.  Today Deryn is a successful businesswoman in the New Orleans area and this book (currently untitled) will undoubtedly add to her list of accomplishments.

CHEERS!