Clockwise from front left: Tobie, Kristen, Romo, Nicole, Brooke, Trisha, and Abigail
How do the DCC go from having a rule against fraternizing with players to the above photo with quarterback Tony Romo that appeared in Maxim magazine in 2009? Well, the simple answer is probably Photoshop, but let’s dive into the history of the DCC’s fraternization rule.
When Tex Schramm decided to add the DCC to the Cowboys entertainment package, legendary head coach Tom Landry was none too pleased. He said the ladies were not wholesome and he did not want them on the sidelines. I suspect that was the birth of the no fraternization rule, but perhaps the players’ wives had a little bit to do with it as well. I have no proof of the wives’ take, but the video below gives a glimpse of Landry’s view.
Despite Landry’s protests, GM Schramm won out and the DCC went on to become America’s Sweethearts and they’re still quite popular to this day.
Now that the history is out of the way, lets explore some team-sanctioned instances of cheerleaders fraternizing with players.
The Cowboys players and DCC often team up to visit Dallas area hospitals to cheer up children and senior citizens who can’t spend the holidays at home with their families. Training camp is another venue where the players and cheerleaders collaborate to sign autographs for fans, mainly military personnel at Point Mugu Naval Base near their Oxnard, CA camp location.
Dan Bailey, Samantha and Cole Beasley
Community service and charity seem to be the only sanctioned events for fraternization, but there have been instances when the rule has been broken. Former DCC Sonja Samuel married former Cowboy first round pick Kevin Brooks. This union was unique because they were both with the organization at the same time. There have been other instances of players dating cheerleaders when they were no longer with the squad, including former punter Toby Gowin who married former DCC Niki Green after their respective careers with the organization.
Of course there is the double standard aspect of the fraternization rule – cheerleaders who break the rule are immediately dismissed while the guilty player is not punished. However, this has not stopped some of the cheerleaders. There have been several rumors of cheerleaders who dated Cowboys, but because they are unsubstantiated, I won’t name names here. But I will share the two gems below of DCCs sharing kisses with players on the field. Hmmmm, I wonder if these things took place before the rule.
Left: Thomas Hollywood Henderson & Yvonne Silver Right: Danny White & Unknown DCC
Hall of Fame Cowboys seem to always be around the DCC whether it’s being escorted onto the field at halftime events or just taking photos with the ladies. I guess being a Cowboys great who no longer plays makes “fraternization” OK.
Top: Rayfield Wright & Jenna Lene Bottom: Charles Haley & Caila Michelle
And then there’s the issue (if you can call it that) of former players socializing with former cheerleaders. Even Director Kelli Finglass gets into the act.
Left: Emmitt Smith & Melissa Rycroft Strickland Right: Kelli & Haley
In any event, the DCC have done a pretty good job of selling the notion that their players and cheerleaders are strictly platonic. In my personal opinion, it’s a good rule. With all of the things that can go wrong between men and women (marital infidelity, unwanted pregnancies, domestic violence, rape/accusations, etc.), it’s probably best to keep the two groups separate to avoid PR nightmares. Besides, despite Landry’s lamentations, the DCC are widely considered wholesome girls next door. The rule helps keep that reputation in place.
Now lets end it with a little holiday fraternization with Santa Nate Newton and his helpers Tandra Cromer and Amy Lemon.
CHEERS!
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