Retiring Ravens cheerleader not allowed to join team at the Super Bowl
Too often we forget that there is a human element to sports that goes beyond the final score of a game. This week, a cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens is giving us a reminder about that very theme.
Courtney Lenz is a 5-year veteran of the Ravens cheerleading squad, according to ABC News, and she'll be retiring from her role with the Ravens at the conclusion of this season. Despite that, she did not receive an invitation to join the team in New Orleans for an opportunity to cheer for the Ravens in the Super Bowl.
For the Super Bowl, teams are not allowed to bring their entire cheerleading team. Because of this, many cheerleaders are left out, but one would think that a 5-year retiring veteran would be a sure lock, right?
Well, that's not the case. Apparently the Ravens selected their group based, I assume, on their cheering talent. Many fans are outraged by the apparent wronging of such a dedicated member of the cheer squad, and have started an online petition to send Ms. Lenz to the Super Bowl. At the time of writing this, the petition was just shy of 4,400 signatures.
Although it appears Lenz will not be heading to New Orleans, the story does serve to remind us all that there are people behind the game, and in this case, I think it's important to reward loyalty, dedication and hard work. Apparently there are about 4,400 other people that completely agree.
Update: Courtney said an interview below the Super Bowl Snub, maybe weight related.
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I spent alot of time writing my petition for this cheerleader vet, and I, personnally don't give a rat's a** what others think/feel. She should go to the Super Bowl XLVII and if NOT, my money is going on the 49er's (yuck)...Randy Moss thinks his s&^$^t don't stink. He is a bad a**, but he never should have pretended to pull his pants down during a game with my favorite team, the GreenBay Packers. That one act of discipline turned my feelings for Randy Moss. Jerry Rice, you have my vote as the "best" ever. I checked the stats.
@nflfan He was only responding to the packers fans that actually do pull their pants down and moon opposing teams. It also happened a long time ago so give it a rest.
Don't forget the twelve jurors who acquitted Ray Lewis, they did more than dress sexy and dance on the grass.
It is Better to be Thought a FOOL than to Post a Comment and REMOVE all DOUBT!!!! hint hint Freddie Just Saying
@MrJustSaying I am so sorry you did not get a trophy for playing little league baseball. Trophies are for WINNERS. Losers stay home and cry, or work harder for what they want. The girls who worked hard, stayed in shape, and DESERVED a trip to the Super Bowl are going to the Super Bowl. She is a pro, she did not make the cut. Neither did Brett Favre, Joe Montana, Emmitt Smith, and countless other FORMER pros I would love to see in the Super Bowl. Put her fat ass in Penthouse and let her sign autographs in the end zone.
Did she get paid for her work? If so, the Ravens owe her nothing beyond what was in her contract. Five years? My car has given me more service than that, and no one is signing petitions to keep it running.
wow. she is alot prettier than most of the cheerleaders i just saw. weight gain?? really from where? she looked just as good if not better than alot of the other raven cheerleaders i just saw. maybe she should go blonde.
i know it will not be the same but she can come to my house and watch the game with me she is good enough for me lol.
She put 5 years of her life into this career and yes she thought about retieding but who cares , is the damn super bowl take her and let her have fun one more time >Dont be rude and selfish.
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The rules are the rules. I couldn't care whether she's HOT or not ! She has a muffin top. She thought to retire early on in the season because she didn't think the Ravens would make the playoffs and as a result, she ate whatever. We ought NOT to forget that it's us SOCIETY that started this trend.
@TanaiSheckleford damn can u read her mind or what? how in this world do u know the thought the ravens wouldnt make the playoffs? idiots
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@TanaiSheckleford It's not my society that created whatever it is you think it created. It's a liberal society who cares about unimportant crap like this!
@dadaboy @TanaiSheckleford You have it backwards. Shallow judgements and enforced conformity are hallmarks of authoritarianism, which goes hand-in-hand with conservatism. That's why liberal women tend to be the ones who dress and eat to be comfortable and healthy, not like the bulimic, made-up, plastic women that conservatives adore.
In my opinion I believe the owner of the Ravens should invite all the remaining ladies to the super bowl .. they probably showed up to all the games and help keep the fans happy. They are part of the team and the complete team should be allowed to go to the super bowl. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity .. love and peace to all ..
@ThomasLehman no, they are not part of the team, they are part of the cheer squad. does the pimple faced kid who served you a soda get to go to the game? what, he was part of the team too, right?
Just for the record I think she is hot and I would like to see what some of the clowns look like that won't let her cheer lead. Loyalty gets you no where!
If she can"t cheer lead because of two pounds, then Ray Lewis should not play because of having ties to PED after his surgrey. You won't see that happen. Now I hope they loose!
They really should Ban "FAKONCE" (aka- BEYONCE) from the Super Bowl for being FAKE! At least this Cheerleader is a Real Woman! Okayyy!
If any one paid attention to the interview she had several infractions for being over her weight limit and out of something like 60 girls only half get to go and she was not the only one that doesnt get to go for weight problems she just the most senior. So what are you suppost to do punish some one else who didnt have any disciplinary actions against them so the most senior girl with multiple infractions can go....no thank you!!! People wake up and stop looking at the face value and actually read whats going on.
@goodgui So what are you suppost to do punish some one else who didnt have any disciplinary actions against them so the most senior girl with multiple infractions can go....no thank you!!!
suppost........didnt ?????? noice tha lynes undur tha wurds ? Ur suppost tu kilc un tu corek thum, bnt yu didnt. Fuul!
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Reality Check! Cheerleaders are athletes. When athletes gain weight, it usually means that they are not performing as well. Her weight as a Cheerleader has nothing to do with her appearance. Yes, she is beautiful, but she may not be maintaining the performance level throughout the season that the other girls have.
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Don't blame the Ravens organization.....the Cheer leading section is "separate" ....they are their own "ENTITY".
Don't be ignorant enough to "not Root" for this team based on this story..
Yes It sounds ridiculous that not ALL Cheerleaders can attend.......but also........if she's gained weight....that's a violation of her contract (just like getting arrested or sleeping with a football player,,,,,etc).....and would be barred from attending..... and yes......
I agree with the other comments........Loyalty sometimes gets you NO WHERE!!!
If they pass over the cheerleaders who are heavier, then they ought to leave out the ones not so attractive, or the little bit ugly, or the sightly skanky or slutty types. Oh, but then they would a cheer leading group of ONE.
I think I got my answer. It said above that she did do an interview and the decision may have been weight related. She knows what people respond to. She was a victim!
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Typical entitlement attitude. She has been a member of the team for 5 years so she's entitled to go. How long have the other girls been members of the squad. Did she participate in as many of the functions, community events, charity events, etc. You have no idea what the criteria was. I'm actually more surprised that this is an issue and it became big news. Did she whine to someone or to the media? I'm sure that the cheer leading coach made the decision and it wasn't a big executive or GM level decision.
By the way, SHE IS HOT! I would have picked her just for that.
I just looked at the teams superbowl cheerleader pics on msn & yikes! This girl is beautiful compared the "skinny" f-ugly's they chose. Its sad they werent honorable & instead penalized her for not being crack-head skinny when they shouldve appreciated her years of dedication. Sad to say but I hope Baltimore loses the SuperBowl...shitty organization based on this story. I now know which team Im cheering for on Superbowl Sunday
What kind of society do we live in where loyalty and dedication is punished and stupidity is rewarded?
I am referring to another MSN post from today:
http://now.msn.com/sharon-osgood-49ers-fan-scammed-for-dollar5900-will-see-super-bowl-game-anyway
I hope Lenz gets to go whether she is cheering or not.
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You don't want to disappoint a five year veteran who has announced her retirement after this season.
