The Reality Of Being An NFL Cheerleader | The Scarlet Letter Reports | Refinery29

After posting a photo on her private Instagram, cheerleader Bailey Davis was fired from the New Orleans Saints "due to failure to comply with Saintsations rules and regulations." She filed a complaint against the NFL for gender discrimination.
Now, the suit has pushed Bailey into the national spotlight, and prompted harassment from online trolls all over the country.
This video was originally published on Vice and is being repurposed by Refinery29.
ABOUT SERIES
The Scarlet Letter Reports takes an in depth look at the lives of the women profiled and how they are living today. We move away from a more sterile studio environment, and interview the women in their homes, giving our audience a glimpse inside the day to day activities of some of the worlds most infamous women.
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This video was originally published on Vice and is being repurposed by Refinery29.
ABOUT SERIES
The Scarlet Letter Reports takes an in depth look at the lives of the women profiled and how they are living today. We move away from a more sterile studio environment, and interview the women in their homes, giving our audience a glimpse inside the day to day activities of some of the worlds most infamous women.
ABOUT REFINERY29
Refinery29 is a modern woman's destination for how to live a stylish, well-rounded life. refinery29.com/
RELATED CONTENT
Mischa Barton’s Fight Against Revenge Porn
• Mischa Barton’s Fight ...
Blamed by Tabloids for Domestic Violence
• Blamed by Tabloids for...
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SUBSCRIBE TO REFINERY29
Subscribe to the Refinery29 channel: bit.ly/subscribe-to-r29
Follow Refinery29 on Instagram: / refinery29
Follow Somos on Instagram: / r29somos
Follow Unbothered on Instagram: / r29unbothered

[@Ksnamaste]

It’s so funny how they got mad at her but they sexualize the women all the time.

[@nate6045]

Ong

[@90MysteriumFascinans]

Because professional living Barbie dolls mustn’t have any sexual agency of their own, apparently.

[@davidfortier6976]

It's probably the most stark of the mixed messages in American culture. "You must be a sex machine, but chaste."

[@dinkyboss]

Like she said, it’s profitable to THEM when they do it smh

[@kataratify]

On the field they can make the company money, off the field they can't. It's sick and disgusting what the NFL does to these women

[@AustinNGrayson]

I’m so happy this is still being covered. The NFL cheerleaders are treated terribly and I still can’t get over how little they make as PROFESSIONAL NFL CHEERLEADERS. It’s beyond fucked up.

[@iwant007]

All NFL teams will get rid of cheerleaders by 2030

[@davidfortier6976]

I'm also amazed by the amount of unpaid work they are required to do.

[@kataratify]

When she said $10/hr my jaw hit the floor. That's....it's beyond insulting.

[@stormysmom222]

$10 an hour to pay for all expenses that are mandatory.....women, we need to stop playing by men's rules. 🧿🧿🧿🧿🧿🧿🧿🧿🧿🧿🧿🧿

[@mefford67]

*THIS!* 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@lumijasminasmr3583]

And if we stop, we get puclicly ridiculed and outcasted. We follow the rules for survival, mut it sucks. We all must support those, who are in a worse position and have no other options than obay or get their lives rippes apart. I speak from experience.

[@toyahill4151]

👍 the NFL is a multimillion organization they should pay for the ladies expenses plus pay they them extra within their income!!!

[@jemmaj2919]

if he cared about her image and "showing too much skin", he wouldn't let her wear cheerleaders costumes. They just wanted them under control and make money for themselves

[@lizziep7346]

The uniform outfits show more skin than in the picture she posted 😭 like what?!?!

[@SylvieMarcelle1]

Yes!! I see the photo, she looks great. Her face is not "dirty", and you can't even see anything! Hearing what she went through makes me so angry, but I am glad she is speaking up and standing up for herself.

[@mefford67]

*I hope she does NOT settle with the NFL over their blatant discrimination and disrespect, period.* *$10 per hour and they had to sign away all their rights? Stand strong young woman!* ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

I can't believe the amount of ppl in the comments saying she broke the rules, her fault. These rules are archaic, they are setting women up for failure and those of you blaming her are missing the point entirely. She's not asking for millions or even her job back, she wants them to see that the rules need a huge overhaul and women and men need to be treated equally. 💛

[@SylvieMarcelle1]

Exactly this!! 👏🏼👏🏼

[@marthagomez6925]

PREACH!!! ⚡⚡⚡⚡

[@skrittle555]

not to mention her points- she wore less on the field, first of all. secondly, they were only mad because they didn't make any money from that post. imo

[@amandakriss4244]

One of my cousins dated a cheerleader for The Rams for a while. She was so nice and always seemed perfect as she had to keep up a certain image at all times. There was so much she could not do per her contract and she made so little money. It was ridiculous because she was an excellent athlete in cheerleading itself.

[@emilytitch9162]

Something tells me the male athletes don't have to adhere to these sexist standards...

[@nate6045]

Now that's an idea for a protest lol.

[@erickeenan7562]

Most professional athletes have a "morality clause" and it is not uncommon for teams to exercise the option on a player. In many cases, is the player is a wreck off the field, he is a wreck on the field, so the decision isn't to difficult. Professional athletes/coaches live a highly public life, and regardless of what they did or even if it true or not, they are tried and sentenced by public opinion. That is just as unfair. I don't envy any of these people working for these teams.

[@marciavaldez7767]

There are more women out here supporting you than you think. There are a lot of ignorant people out there. Hold your ground, do not settle with the NFL, keep your faith, and keep moving forward. Blessings.

[@phyllissena8529]

I remember going to an NFL cheer auditions workshop in 2007 and was told to treat it as more of a hobby than a job, and that they would pay us $2,000 flat which equated to about $10-$12 per game or practice. And yes, you had to pay for hair, nails, makeup, spray tans, personal trainers, transportation, everything. Plus you couldn't take any time off between April-Feb, even though it's just a "hobby". A few girls gasped and walked out. I did too.

[@xGorefieldx]

10 bucks an hour!? I make more than that working at a coffee shop. Smh, thats messed up

[@sylviacereda247]

This series is AMAZING. Its sad that they could do it forever and never run out of content

[@Plantbliss]

You’re right, it’s the ultimate renewable resource

[@painter-midge]

It doesn't matter that she broke the rules of the contract. Rules can be wrong, and wrong rules should not be defended, especially when they concern people's livelihoods. The only reason the NFL would have for enforcing these restrictions on their cheerleaders' personal lives is that the NFL can't profit off of the girls' sexuality if the girls do it of their own volition. What other job (even in performance or sports) can justify restricting its employees' personal lives to such an extent? It's ridiculous. There are also so many contradictions. The NFL says they can't be sexual because it'd ruin the girl's image as a public figure cheerleader, yet they say every girl is replaceable. The NFL says the girls can't post photos in lingerie, yet they dress the girls in lingerie to perform on the field. The NFL punishes cheerleaders for commiserating with players, yet they let the players off the hook in the same situation. The NFL pays its cheerleaders $10/hr, and fire them if they speak up about it.

[@90MysteriumFascinans]

Exactly right. It’s like the NFL believes a woman who becomes one of their cheerleaders is also signing her exclusive rights to her own sexuality over to the NFL. It infringes on their freedoms over their own person. Sickos.

[@anniek55112]

I am so glad this is covered. The double standard is infuriating! The ballers get paid millions, the team owners get paid millions and the women who give up everything are treated like garbage and paid less than minimum wage. This is why I don't watch men's sports. The mentality starts in high school. The boy's teams get pep bands and cheerleaders, the girls teams get the crummier fields, weeknight games, and less recognition. Men are not more valuable. Great story

[@natalieforshee8348]

I think that a lot of people don't realize that she was innocently following a passion of hers, but everyone wanted to judge her own thoughts and intentions for her. Its really sick honestly.

[@bbbbeebbb784]

for this who are sayng she is wrong. that's not the point, labor laws and working conditions should evolve with the times. this is bigger than a photo this is about working conditions.

[@daciadrummond1982]

I don't understand the big deal about her posting the photo. Cheerleaders are sexualized every day of their career so what is the big deal? I don't think she did anything wrong. I feel as though the NFL is being hypocritical.

[@Katecatable]

Puh. I really hope that she finds her path after all this and gets justice. As long as she is fine with her picture, no one else should be allowed to shame her. Why is it okay to show her off in a supertight uniform on the job, but she is not allowed to show herself as she wants off the job??? Wishing her and her family a lot of energy and courage.

[@kimmiebraunthal4874]

They had uniforms. A job that requires a uniform needs to PAY for the uniforms or reimburse for them -- that includes all the tanning, manicures, etc.

[@tieshafranzen6686]

Thank you for representing women. I'm not a cheerleader and not in any other position like it, but I have so much respect for you girl. Mad respect. Keep moving forward, stay strong

[@laurennotlola4076]

Thank you for sharing. We stand with you Bailey

[@cristinaortiz340]

Keep working towards justice and never lose your faith💕so thankful to have someone talking about this

[@Sgt.Hartman]

How hard can it possibly be to just treat people with respect. Even if you have a moral objection to their actions (beside actions blatantly harmful to others) you should treat people with respect.

[@noellekacerek3281]

We support you and don't settle with the NFL, stay strong!

[@wandarask8444]

The lady doing the interview is great she's a good listener ,and is serious about other people's stories. Love Australia x.

[@tracykatz3227]

This isn’t right and I hate seeing/hearing what others post on social media that don’t know the person they are degrading, bless her and I hope that she receives justice, whatever she deems justice

[@Flowergurl2000]

You ARE a feminist! That is a woman who knows her value. That it is equal to anyone.

[@oussisaho208]

Poor woman not being able to do what she loves during the brief window in life when you're supposed to be the most free and happy 😢

[@sjcme-5322]

Keep on fighting! This is pure control and women won't stand down to it any more. We stand with you.

[@afterthestorm221]

I think the mandatory uniforms are more revealing and then her "dirty" picture.

[@Gloria_Marie]

The body suit picture is not a bad picture

[@cr0wsnest]

The fact that they won't even meet for a good faith meeting and a poor man's pocket change really says the most of this

[@davidfortier6976]

They should be paid at least ten times as much as they are. More than that would make sense. The minimum salary for an NFL player is $660 000/yr. Why not pay the cheerleaders six figures as well? They work just as hard.

[@seaweed1068]

when she said "$10 an hour" i was shocked, i expected her to say something like 50 - 60,000 a year (please don't make fun of me i'm not american i don't know how this industry works)

[@alejandramd2]

Thank you Bailey: you make the world a better place ❤️✊🏼

[@maneshtsaadoon3501]

So happy to see Amanda Knox being a part of something that brings attention to the sexism and misogyny a lot of women face. What she went through was incredibly unfair and it’s great that she’s able to channel that horrible experience into such a productive and worthy cause. Keep fighting back, ladies! We’re all right there with you.

[@jumpingjeffflash9946]

I'm glad to see Amanda Knox here and doing well, i wish her all the best after her ordeal. I don't watch or care for football but it does seem they treat the cheerleaders like crap.

[@katina1976]

$10 an hour.....more rules than a convent....treated like a nobody.....why do women do this again? 🤔

[@ashlynnrodriguez4303]

Dance and cheerleading are pretty all-encompassing. You work your butt off in the dance studio your whole life, and you feel like you need something to show for it. Also, a lot of us are actually football fans. Best seats in the house

[@MsMtwardy]

That picture wasn’t bad at all. She right they show almost everything on the field

[@CoolKid-ye1kq]

She's so strong 💪 she's awesome 🦋 you go girl🙏#Bailey ❤️

[@jonhillman871]

i can't see ms. davis' lawsuit having any kind of chance at winning a case but it's a great tool for bringing attention to the terrible treatment and poor working conditions nfl cheerleaders are subjected to. best of luck to ms. davis.

[@leepearson7868]

I got picked to be a dallas cow boy cheerleader, I went to try outs with my cousin. She was so nervous,and scared I really felt so bad for her.I did cheerleading all my life, even in college. so by time I graduated, I left.and was all set to start my life😊 so I met my husband, had our 2 kings.and was a stay at home mom, my husband made good money.and I was happy with such...so now me and my cousin tried out, I worked soooooo hard omg after every damn pratice I thought I was gone die.and yes it was that HORRIBLE, YES THEY PICK ON EVERYTHING, THEY ARE BEYOND STRICT.AINT NO PERKS BEING NO NFL CHEERLEADER, (DONT LET THEM LIE TO YALL). NOW GIRLS WAS GETTING CUT LEFT.AND RIGHT, (I was getting mad because I was ready to go home) if you have a pudgy stomach don't try out.you won't make it, if you make the team.and your shorts need to get let out to fit your wide waist.you will be told to go on a strict diet, so we made the team (yay) right?! WRONG!!!!!!! FOR WHAT ALL THEY WANT YOU TO DO, YOU DONT GET PAID NOTHING.IT WILL ADD UP TO NOTHING, THEY WILL TELL YOU HOW TO WASH YOUR BODY, THEY TELL YOU HOW TO ACT AROUND CERTAIN MEN, THEY TELL YOU HOW EVERYTHING.OH BY THE WAY YOU GOTTA PAY FOR YOUR OWN MAKE UP ARTIST, YOUR OWN NAILS, YOUR OWN HAIR DRESSER, YOUR OWN GYM MEMBER SHIP, YOUR UNIFORM THAT THEY KEEP, YOUR BOOTS, YOU GOTTA PAYFOR THEM AS WELL, EVERYBODY WAS SOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY WHEN I SEEN THEM CRUMBS WE WAS GONNA GET PAID, I SAID FUCK DALLAS, FUCK THE COW BOYS, FUCK THEM ALL AND LEFT

[@bratzliplogical]

Why being comfortable with your body is something seen as bad in our society?!?! If you want to show skin you should be allowed to do it ! It's your body !

[@roseredm1]

You're naive if you think exposing yourself has no consequences. Whoever is exposing themselves so much that it causes others to lust and sin...they have a responsibility..and responsibility also lies with the observer. A good man or person will look away instead of staring at them. Yes, the NFL is hypocritical. All they care about is the money. They love their cheerleaders becuz it brings in money! But they could care less for each individual woman. I would be very displeased if my daughter became a NFL cheerleader.

[@bratzliplogical]

@@roseredm1 i will take that as a compliment 💋 it's not my faul that people get triggered because I am proud of my body 😊

[@loraleiwier870]

I will watch ANYTHING Amanda works on. ANYTHING that woman is amazing.

[@aslobos]

Brave. Courageous. 🎇🎇. THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR YOURSELF AND WOMEN!!! 💖💙👏👏

[@HooDeeWho]

Three years ago we saw this story. Somthing must be done. Where do we start?

[@Silvixia]

Refinery 29 is re-uploading vice videos?? Why?

[@reneehoward8936]

That wicker chair is iconic from the 80s 😌

[@brenturquhart7090]

“You have such a beautiful home”, then comes a shots of all the dead animals on the walls.

[@Bythesea449]

Inspirational woman!!

[@Rocioslane]

Sounds like it’s way overdue

[@bp8538]

I just need to know what the issue is with her photo vs what she wore/wears cheering? Am I missing something?

[@deathnotelover11]

$10 dollars a hour…? That’s less then working at fast food chains. They have such insane rules and treated poorly. “100 girls that would do your job for free.” I sure hope these girls want better and quit.

[@Raja-bz4yw]

Any updates on this story?

[@sharicole4255]

WoW! Powerful. Let's go, Ladies. If men don't understand this, leave him behind

[@jemal.dilbirin]

people who are watching this còmments l wish thererents still Alive for more than years God bless family 🙏❤😊🙏🙏👍

[@Toadsmario2473]

10 DOLLARS AN HOUR 😭😭😰😨

[@itsmirelle]

After reading the comments, it is clear that ‘James Bond’ and many others not only have a personal problem but are part of the problem. If you know, you know.

[@christincavanaugh2357]

Of course the NFL didn’t comment! They know they’ve done wrong.

[@MamazitaCole]

God bless these cheerleaders & this woman for sharing her story. It’s insane the hypocrisy from the side of the NFL 📣 ♥️ & God Bless Amanda Knox! I love seeing her as narrator for women empowerment stories that desperately need to be repeatedly discussed & changed for past, present & future women. SO motivating & powerful 🙏🏻 👑 💕 We’re all in your corner ladies! & Anyone that isn’t in their corner on this, you suck! 🍭 💛 😚

[@lanacrystal8147]

This is a strange report. Bad photo that she got fired over too. Im glad she is bringing attention to such a sexist company. I hope things change for the cheerleaders, they should be able to demean themselves on and off the field if that is what they wish.

[@ClevelandLeah]

I support you, Bailey!!!

[@lilyseemann1250]

She asked for $1 and good faith! She deserves respect and kindness.

[@angelnumber2002]

10 dollars is so absurd it brings tears to my eyes lol

[@DTMJR1987]

Good to see Amanda Knox back out there

[@tiffanyescamillaaa]

It’s the fact that she did everything “right” she was the “perfect cheerleader” literally since birth and was still treated as nothing

[@kingnb]

I have full respect of the cheerleaders of NFL who work hard for little or no pay at all. If i was a billionaire i would help every cheerleader in nfl and give each a $100 raise for there outstanding work because owner of each team and director of the team cheer squad would get the same pay the girls get and that would be a different story to cover

[@joso7228]

NFL Bosses should make Cheerleaders a part of their Charity (Tax Write Off) Operations because they do the Hospital Visits and Charity Fundraising more than performing for 3 hours on a few Sundays. OR make the Cheerleading section a Not For Profit part of their organisation so again their wages and expenses can be written off their Tax. Cynical but a good way to get the girls decent pay.

[@MallorieMooney]

THATS MY SCHOOL OMG

[@beccalife275]

7:00 He probably would also complain if his granddaughters were cheerleaders

[@NatalyaLovesReading17]

That is just disgusting how they did that to her shows how the world is today

[@kumottakun6089]

In an alternate reality she turned into sue sylvester

[@wandarask8444]

How crazy it's there thoughts, not hers she should sue them big time The training these girls put in should be paid well

[@janinedaniell1967]

AMANDA KNOX GOOD FOR YOU GIRL!!!!

[@janetd254]

It’s the $10/hr for me. While the football players are making millions and half of them sit on the bench. These girls are athletes and they have a job! I mean the snack venders make more money! How messed up is that??

[@keithbaucum7156]

The NFL need to pay her the money they owe her. That was not a reason to fire her.

[@Richardsonprincess00]

Felt sorry for her knowing that her reputation was in ruins...🙎‍♀️🙍‍♀️🤢

[@13FallenAngela]

Amanda Knox like the Amanda Knox that was accused and of and went through hell in Italia for the death of her roommate?

[@joyceneville9214]

If there MUST be such a thing as NFL cheerleaders they should be paid for all of their work, if they have such strict grooming rules then they should have carte blanche at a salon and all trainings and workouts should be paid, and paid handsomely. The reason for the no fraternization rules isn’t to protect the girls, it’s to protect the teams and the NFL from scandal because there have been some sordid situations played out, Southern Methodist University had a bit of a scandal with the cheerleaders being used as bait to get desirable HS football players to sign with the University. I get the reasons, but the players should have the same rules. $10 an hour is a damn insult to the girls! Try maybe $50 an hour and all related expenses paid by the team.

[@aliciamack9323]

NFL CHEERLEADERS NEED TO RESPECT

[@alannableiweis3942]

She's angry to be labelled as a feminist...like it's a bad thing?

[@sheriherrick4420]

I CANNOT believe how horrible other cheerleaders have treated her and strangers making horrible and rude comments about her. O hope she gets what she needs!

[@chicanapunkLA]

Insane they hire a bunch of women to be in skimpy outfits showing alot of skin to dance for the audience but then they punish them when they want to wear their own outfits on their personal accounts. Mixed messages

[@Mistyvalentine]

Professional cheerleaders make 20+ per hour according to google. Why would anyone work so hard with that many rules for only 10 dollars an hour cheerleading? Professional dancers make 24.50+ an hour without all the rules. I would have been dancing instead. I feel terrible for how this woman was treated though and I hope she gets what she deserves from the lawsuit!

[@keptthekisses]

A lot of jobs like this capitalizeon their image and recognition as a way to exploit impressionable people. If you grow up in a small town with a passion for dance and the only honest options are cheerleading for the NFL or working as an exotic dancer, the perceived job market and access to other professionals for mentorship and career guidance is really slim. Granted things shift with the age of social media and internet but even the woman featured in the documentary looked to relationships she had (her mom) for industry guidance and the wags from the earlier days hadn't adjusted with inflation either. Musicians, freelance workers, to an extent even TEDx talk performers and speakers sort of experience a similar phenomenon unless they are ready to capitalize on the "exposure" or if there's a union of sorts to guide the standards for pay in places that folks might otherwise not have known.

[@tamir.7168]

Just imagine IF the football players were treated like their cheeleaders and vice versa...

[@bellegreycats490]

What, did she say $10- an hour? Events are 4 hours long. She pays for Hair Color, Hair style & Blow outs, Nails, Spray Tans, Makeup (water proof) and Trainer shoes. on $10- an hour. Wow! Taking financial advantage for sure.

[@stantwiceforgoodgrades3962]

"members shall not date or fraternize with any player" alr but what if one of those football players happened to be their cousin?💀

[@clarecatherine8387]

I thought NFL Cheerleaders were supposed to look sexy, isn't that their brand? Am I missing something?

[@lumijasminasmr3583]

♥️💪🏾

[@patrickkarsh5435]

Hopefully Refinery29 can get OJ Simpson to interview women next.

[@nihilisticbarbie]

Amanda Knox? 🤔

[@michaelhovden7846]

OK, what did I miss? The guidelines shown in the vid clearly show they don´t allow posting of cheerleaders in lingerie on their social media, and she chose to do it anyway. What did I miss? Not saying I agree at all, just saying use some common sense girl.

[@jenmar7]

Why is Amanda Knox in this

[@gbriataylor2554]

Did u watch the video 😂 she’s the interviewer 🤣🤣🤣she’s the one asking the questions

[@skrittle555]

it gives me hope that this is coming from the bible belt of all places. maybe soon, there will be no place left to hide for misogynists.

[@LavenderLushLuxury]

wow, Grimy Vile NFL, Football is terrible.

[@snyder_paint3159]

Flames flames on the side of my face ughhhhhh I HATE THE NFL

[@mialynn2034]

So……. Her contract stated that she couldn’t post photos in lingerie….. and she posted a pic of herself in lingerie….. 🤦‍♀️ This entire video is ridiculous. Her bosses had every reason to fire her for breaking her contract!!

[@mialynn2034]

@Jessica IT’S A CONTRACT

[@sanaea5855]

firstttt

[@Sedonawhite]

Hey she signed a contract it said no lingerie. She posted a pic in lingerie. If she really wanted change she could of went about this a completely different way. She only cares because she got fired and wants the rules broken for her. She knew from childhood the pros and cons and how the culture is. I'd love to see someone Proactively trying to give these cheerleaders less controlling contracts.