What was it like to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader in the ‘80s?

Dana Adam Shapiro’s new documentary film, Daughters of the Sexual Revolution: The Untold Story of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, tells the story of Suzanne Mitchell, a former Cowboys executive who effectively created the Dallas Cowboys cheer squad as we know it today. The film features testimonials from dozens of former Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, including Dana Presley Killmer and Toni Washington, both of whom cheered for the Cowboys in the ‘80s. We recently spoke with Killmer and Washington about the film, and their experience working for Mitchell.

[@CAsaidit]

The Cowboys organization expects so much out of these girls. They should at least be paid enough to be able to afford rent in Dallas.

[@freshrachpears]

The dude on the chair is totally photo-bombing this interview 😂😂

[@margl6635]

hahahahahahahaha I was just scrolling to see if anyone had something to say about him hahahahha who the hell is he anyway?

[@smileypantscuppycake122]

They should be making at least $80,000 per year plus DCC should pay for all beauty and fitness maintenance.

[@graceking1496]

Definitely not. That is more than some surgeons make in a year! I think they should be making at-least half of that 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@k.j.k.]

@@graceking1496 lmaoooo no surgeon makes less than 80k a year thats just plain dumb

[@k.j.k.]

They work extremely hard and deserve to make a living wage. Maybe not 80k but definitely around 60k.

[@aifayashajaganshi]

They are talented athletes and should be paid equal to the men on the field

[@Dutchessofcyber]

Team with $5 billion Mascot makes $60k Cheerleaders paid $150.00/game...they'd need to work 2 - 3 games to pay for their hair maintenance alone

[@darsigrunewald592]

A dear friend at the time talked me into auditioning with her for the DCC. She had years of training and I had none. I made it farther than she did but ultimately didn’t make the team. The experience was one I will always remember fondly.

[@elliemaexx3381]

liar😂😂😂

[@chogan201]

Tom why are you calling her a liar?

[@melvram]

Ellie Mae Xx she’s not but ok

[@chrispersad8388]

Hey Darci do you know a Mark Grunewald by any chance

[@jacoshneko]

Unfortunately, even as rosy as they painted it, it sounds like it was a whole lot of exploitation of their time. Not much has changed.

[@deniselovesglitter]

K McC The ladies know going in exactly what they’re signing up for. This squad is the elite. There’s a prestige and respect that accompanies being a DCC that is unmatched, and there’s no price that can be attached to it. Exploitation? No way.

[@valenciennesrichelieu6325]

@HAYAO LEONE Are DCC prostitutes??

[@deniselovesglitter]

@@Palentine76 my point is that no ones making them try out. They DO know what they’re signing up for. As for the ‘do better,’ you know where you can stick it.

[@deniselovesglitter]

@@Palentine76 I don’t have to justify a thing to you. I’m done with this thread. If you reply, you’ll be arguing by yourself.

[@veritasaequitas7086]

Those two ladies were part of a group of Cowboys cheerleaders who visited us in Beirut, 1983-84. I remember they were classy and genuinely sweet. I hope they have some fond memories of us, too.

[@roxannewashington6157]

The DCC are athletes just like the mascot and football players and coaches. They deserve to be paid 40,000 to 60,000 dollars per year. They put time and effort traveling, games, appearances, and show groups. By the DCC getting paid more, they will have dignity, but will also have enough to financially support themselves and their families. Roxanne

[@memaybeyou6276]

But a guy in a mascot suit makes at least....AT LEAST $65,000...Really Jones "organization"?? These WOMEN deserve much more! I'm not a cowboy fan but if you asked anyone (fan or not) if the Cowboys did away with their cheerleaders or the mascot, which would be missed? Mascot who?

[@Vale82164]

OMG, Tony was a cheerleader in the early 80s and today she looks like she is in her late 30s!!! Was she a newborn baby cheerleading back then? Because I was born in the early 80s, when she was cheering, and this woman could blend well into my current group of friends, she easily looks 20+ years younger than Dana, yet they were both teammates!!. I´m shocked

[@NoaNoir]

She's Black, the melanin in her skin protects her from sun damage.

[@shelbyluver]

Am I the only one that noticed the weird guy sitting to the left??!! What was his contribution to this interview??? Lmao!

[@deltaecho1]

yeah that was a bit strange ... WHO ARE YOU?

[@florhernandez8908]

@@deltaecho1 is Dana Shapiro, the documentary director, The daughter's of sexual revolution.

[@touchdowngirl1575]

I've cheered on 2 pro-teams & anyone who knocks it has not done it. I danced along side of school teachers, nurses, law students women who have gone on to be Doctors & some were mothers & wives who husbands were proud of them not ashamed. we weren't strippers no we didn't wear pleated skirts & sneakers yes our uniforms are sexy but we are grown-ass women. I loved going to children's hospital, serving Thanksgiving dinner in our warm ups of course to the homeless & as Dana stated putting on shows for our Service men & women but the added plus was being a tiny part of the whole NFL gameday experience.

[@rudychavez7086]

HAYAO LEONE these two comments above are the dumbest comments I’ve ever read in my life

[@brendarico9701]

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Awesome 🤗love the auditions 79 rocks

[@robbepetitjean4343]

This is superb! :)

[@Hebrews123]

Wow!! Bless you for your service

[@DrOlds7298]

One of those ladies is actually a friend of mine,she cheered in 1985-86. She still 'has it',a very smart,charming and well poised woman. And they actually even have an alumni association,believe it or not??? (My friend is part of it)

[@aldcbossladies4462]

40 years later and she looks like THAT?! Goddamn.

[@dorenelewis2258]

the opportunity to meet Suzanne Mitchell back in 2013 awesome experience sit-down to meet her even though I have never cheer for Dallas at that time I cheer for a different NFL team I always wanted to meet her ever since I saw the movie Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders movie back in the late 1970s betraying her and the cheerleaders amazing movie will never forget and never forget the time I sat down to chat with her amazing

[@yinkabb6]

Women do it because it is thier dream and a great accomplishment but I still think they should be payed very well because it becomes thier life and they should walk away with some wealth because they have to support themselves

[@nymike06]

Thank You past and Present DCC

[@susieast450]

They did all of these things with not even enough pay to live on. It just shocks me that a team that is all about women and embodying feminism and showing the world that women are strong and empowering.......and they get paid crap for money. It's so hypocritical. Then, here are all of the male Cowboys football players bringing in more money than the most important of jobs in this country and still the women are more underpaid than someone who works a minimum wage job. These girls work long hours and have to maintain their beauty which means thousands of dollars on hair and make up alone. It's hard for them to work a full time job due to the extreme demands put on them and most cheerleaders have to quit their jobs or are let go. So basically, you need to come from a family of money because they will need to support you, not only emotionally, but financially. I doubt being a DCC opens up enough doors for most of these girls to benefit from It. The DCC are supposed to embody strength, hard work and reaching your goals. I don't know anyone who's goal it was to make it into the earned income tax bracket because they're a DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADER. If anything, the leaders of DCC are only showing the world that women are still beneath men and don't deserve the type of pay that come with holding such a coveted position. I feel so sorry for all of these girls. Pay them more! It should be humiliating knowing you do this to women. #DCCdeservebetter

[@preppergmidatlantic7997]

A friend of mine was a Redskins cheerleader in the mid 80's and she got paid $13.00 a game.

[@sandranorman5469]

When I saw that “Cowboy Bill” (Is that his name?) was making $65,000 /year. Pray tell what is wrong with this???

[@onestep2dee]

His name is Rowdy. And yes he makes more than the cheerleaders do. Hopefully, that will change with times because they do deserve more pay for all the work that they do.

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

@@onestep2dee 🤣😂🤣 dancing ISN'T work !!

[@supersexygal01]

Rowdy? The thing is and there’s a few things. 1) the guy who does rowdy, he, like the girls has TWO JOBS. One was his day job the other was being Rowdy. That 65k a year was from BOTH JOBS. 2) if you ask the girls how much they make from their day jobs PLUS the income from the dcc, their income is literally the same/close to that 65k that rowdy gets. 3) did you ever see it like that? Ever wonder what else he did? I know someone who works for the cowboys who confirmed that 65k was from both his day job and being rowdy. I think he was getting 25 from rowdy and 40 from his day job.

[@danieldeschenes5725]

Dana Presley Killmer is my all time favorite cheerleader , she still looks so ultra gorgeous 😍😍😍!! She still has that ultra beautiful very big hair ❤️❤️❤️!! Very Pretty outfit she is wearing too ! I’m a Dallas cowboys fan and I am so very proud of our Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders , the best cheerleading squad in the world. They should definitely be paid more for sure . The truth is the DCC are definitely one of the reasons the Dallas cowboys are the most well known football team in the world , in addition to the players of course . The DCC also have the second best selling poster ever, only behind the famous Farrah Fawcett poster in sales.

[@MissMalikaA]

I loved watching the DCC but the other night i saw an episode (from like 2015 or something) and it really bugged me. They told a girl she had put on too much weight while being there and booked her a dietician and doctor's but she wouldn't go and was standing her ground so they chucked her out of the team (she was still super slim).

[@jodyt8548]

They need to bring back the huge pom poms again. It was beautiful watching the different colored strands being shaken.

[@djibsondasilva454]

I only learned one thing in this interview....🤔🤔🤔 ....that *Black never cracks!!!* Now y'all figure it out!🙄🤔

[@anniekozumplik4428]

whats the guy in the chair doing??

[@jennypack217]

If it helps some sued recently so the pay is higher now. I don't remember what it was though.

[@jasminewatts8305]

For practice it’s 12 dollars per a hour and for events is 400 dollars per a hour now. Not much but it’s will get better hopefully

[@vintagegal7376]

I actually worked w an ex-DCC from this generation about 20 years ago. She was a ....trip.

[@kris-tkris-t3271]

She sees women judging other women!? That’s all the DCC does. They judge HOW they look then if they can dance

[@cmo9400]

People missing the fact that she said choose 300 times. If idve had the beauty or talent- idve done it for free

[@1710justine]

Wow Toni is pretty

[@takada5743]

5 hours of practice a night along with a job? That's crazy, and I'm saying that as someone who works full-time and attends university full-time.

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

I would have shown up!! I am a tranny and have 8 DCC uniforms and even made warmup uniforms.outfits to wear over my uniform so when I travel I am ready underneath to cheer just like the real DCC. In fact one of my friends with the Cowboys, I told them and she sent me DC hair ribbons, hair clips, REAL pom poms,etc. I have the late 80'searly 90's Cowboys sweaters the wore on the sidelines when it got a bit chilly. I was so lucky my favorite DCC of all time (Miss Tandra Cromer 90-93) was a pen pal and when she left to go on Price is Right she had Miss Carrie Reeves take over. In fact, I even had made for me my own engraved blue and silver DCC garter made for me!! One side of the ribbon says "DCC Miss Felony Strutter and the other has their mott with a Star "America's Sweetheart." I know most of the dance moves and since I was a goalie for 17 years I can do the kick line ending split. Now I have my Go-Go boots but the only thing I do not have is the Official DCC boot by Lucchese. Even with my merch discounts they still come out to $475 and the retail for $650. Makes me cry, I want my boots!! LOL. I cannot begin to tell you, as a lifer Cowboys fan since I was 3 (1976) born, raised and still (SADLY) in Philadelphia it brings tears to my eyes how much the Cowboys be it the team and the DCC have helped me in life. I was brutally raped and other horrific things happened to me and they have sent me everything from merch, autographs to care packages of food. Toni looks even better now and Dana is pure class. Thank God for my Cowboys be it the team or ladies. Thank you Tex Schram and Miss Mitchell, may you both rest in peace with God.

[@genocash8436]

Felony Strutter I was going to type something very mean until I read what happened to you. No one should have to endure the pain that you have. My apologies.

[@jetblackhair92]

I thought professional cheerleaders were paid quite good since they help market and promote the product, playing a vital role in franchise success. Like at least 100k per season.

[@latsnojokelee6434]

They also help the team sell merchandise and calendars but they don't get any percentage of the profit even though their images are all over the items. I'm willing to bet they're forced to sign some kind of an agreement where they allow their images to be used for merchandising and marketing and they don't get any money off of that.

[@lilyjayne1353]

Wow those are big poms

[@eaqua56]

$15/game?😓 O man. They gave so much.

[@heatherlynsey3092]

They could easily give them $1000 a game and imo that’s too low. They train like crazy!!

[@michelegoff554]

Yeah lady, I gave my holidays up, as a nurse to help and serve others. I didn’t have my rear flapping in the wind to do it! Or my breasts hanging out, or my legs wide open. What service were you providing to the sick and needy?

[@joymyers62]

To each her own but this is not something I would ever choose

[@angelramirezroldan4352]

What hapend a girl cheerleader Gail Corder??? 1980 season....

[@richardstark4786]

Doing what they wanted to do

[@deltaecho1]

5 hours of practice a night? ... are they paid for that?

[@latsnojokelee6434]

Unfortunately, even though the feminist movement had been in full swing by the 1980s, this was kind of the mindset of women in the entertainment field back then. They were told over and over you'd better be grateful for being here, there isn't any pay but look at the prestige. I can't think of one field where men are taught this. One could easily say to a football player that there's prestige to being on the Dallas Cowboys, we're not gonna pay you anything because you should be happy to be here. But that doesn't work when you talk to men. Luckily, it's starting to not work when you tell this nonsense to women .

[@juanitaformby6313]

Well....they don't exactly "do whatever they want to do" now. Their lives seem fairly strictly controlled. Stepford women.

[@lynsylva-bb6ss]

Why do this if all yall do is complain?

[@decodolly1535]

"My phone stopped ringing. You don't see your friends or family...." This is sounding like a cult!

[@jackiegrant6410]

How come there are NO,men?

[@ialeencollins4415]

bullshit time to sue

[@hezebelbeing]

But getting paid for your work as a woman is a thing

[@JanitorIsBack]

those cheerleaders did not age well

[@Vale82164]

I think that Tony looks really good and much younger than her real age

[@pollypocket2282]

Are you blind? They look fantastic! They cheered 40 years ago dude! That is what a real woman looks like, not some Botox, faced peeled back mess! YOU are part of the problem my dude.

[@mrvgstyle2442]

Probably aging better than you.

[@isabellavalencia8026]

They look great...lets see what you look like?