At first glance or thought, the life of an NFL Cheerleader appears to be one of pride and joy. Right? Well, as pretty as it may look from the outside, the internal system that dictates the ins and outs of the professional football cheerleading system is actually pretty scary. A behind-the-scenes look at the dark secrets of the NFL cheerleading world reveals a culture of objectification, sexism, and abuse. Cheerleaders are expected to maintain a certain look and are often judged harshly if they don’t meet the standards set by their coaches and team management. They are also paid very little, given few benefits, and are often required to do things like sell tickets and merchandise to make ends meet. It was naive to think the system was a bit outdated but you’ll be surprised at just how tragic the professional system reaches.