National Football League Cheerleading National Football League Cheerleading , or simply NFL Cheerleading , is a professional cheerleading league in the United States . Twenty six of the 32 NFL teams include a cheerleading squad in their franchise . Cheerleaders are a popular attraction that can give a team more coverage / airtime , popular local support and increased media image . For the NFL , the Baltimore Colts were the first team in the NFL to have cheerleaders in 1954 . They were also a part of the Baltimore Colts Marching Band . Currently , six NFL teams have no cheerleaders . According to most NFL cheerleading sites , cheerleading is classified as a part - time job that consists of time for practice , training camp , games , appearances , photo shoots , and charity events . Most often , cheerleaders have completed or are attending a university , and continue on to other careers after cheering for an average of one to four seasons . Apart from their main duties of cheering during the football games , the cheerleaders have many other responsibilities . Nearly every team member is available for appearances at schools , events , conferences , etc . , for a set fee . An anticipated annual event is the release of each squad ' s calendar , featuring members for each month in swimsuits , lingerie , or uniforms . As well as being a mainstay of American football culture , the cheerleaders are one of the biggest entertainment groups to regularly perform for the United States Armed Forces overseas . All performances and tours are enlisted by the USO . Teams send their variety show , an elite group of their best members , to perform combination shows of dance , music , baton twirling , acrobatics , gymnastics , and more . In February 2007 , the Buffalo Bills even sent a squad of eight along with their choreographer into the war zone of Iraq . In 1996 , the SF 49ers Cheerleaders and their director Angela King - Twitero helicoptered into the war inflicted country of Bosnia with the USO and the U . S . Army . The U . S . troops in Korea have been entertained during the holiday season with the USO ' s Bob Hope Tour . Over the years , the tour has featured NFL cheerleaders from the Dallas Cowboys and the SF 49ers . As of 2006 , a competition strictly for NFL cheerleaders was introduced on The NFL Network , called " NFL Cheerleader Playoffs " . Two cheerleaders from each cheerleading team compete against other mini - teams in various athletic events . This includes kayaking , 100 yard dash , obstacle courses , and other events . A top honor for an NFL Cheerleader is to be selected as Pro Bowl Cheerleader . The group is composed of an all - star cheerleader ( one from each NFL cheer team ) that represents her NFL team at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii . The Pro Bowl Cheerleaders were founded in 1992 and directed by Jay Howarth and Angela King - Twitero . Choreography by John Peters . Teams . Listed by name , with corresponding NFL football team . < nowiki > * < / nowiki > Ravens Cheerleading Squad is technically a Co - ed Stunt and All - Female Dance squad . Teams without cheerleaders . As of 2011 , the only teams without cheerleaders are the Chicago Bears , Cleveland Browns , New York Giants , Detroit Lions , Green Bay Packers , and the Pittsburgh Steelers . The February 2011 meeting of the Packers and Steelers at Super Bowl XLV was the first time a Super Bowl featured no cheerleaders . Pro Bowl . Each year , one squad member from every NFL team is chosen to participate in the collective Pro Bowl cheerleading squad . Traditionally , this is the highest honor of talent and popularity an NFL cheerleader can receive . The Pro Bowl Cheerleaders were founded in 1992 and directed by Jay Howarth and Angela King - Twitero , choreographed by John Peters .