{"id":21451,"date":"2026-03-11T11:10:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T11:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpbookstore.org\/articles\/uncategorized\/faith-family-football-for-nfls-oldest\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T06:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:12:12","slug":"faith-family-football-for-nfls-oldest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpbookstore.org\/articles\/positive-living\/health-and-wellness\/better-living\/emotional-and-mental-health\/faith-family-football-for-nfls-oldest\/","title":{"rendered":"Faith, Family, Football for NFL’s Oldest Cheerleader"},"content":{"rendered":"

"Action!” the director yelled. A camera crew huddled around me while I tore open the letter that could change my life. This is it<\/em>, I thought. A local network was filming “The Making of a Ben-Gal,” a show about women who’d tried out for the Cincinnati Bengals cheerleading squad. Was my dream about to come true?<\/p>\n

Ah, who was I kidding? The other girls auditioning were in their 20s. I was a divorced single mom about to turn 40. Me? An NFL cheerleader? Get real, Laura<\/em>, I thought. I could hear my ex-husband’s voice in my head. You’re too old. Who do you think you are? Ugly. Idiot. Dumb.<\/em><\/p>\n

I wasn’t always so hard on myself. Growing up in Dayton, Ohio, I’d often catch Bengals games on TV. Whenever I caught a glimpse of the fit, glamorous Ben-Gals, I was mesmerized. They were everything I wanted to be.<\/p>\n

After high school, I graduated from California State University with a degree in dietetics. I was ready to help others fall in love with staying healthy too.<\/p>\n

Then I got married, moved back to Ohio and became a dietitian. Things looked picture-perfect—my husband and I had great jobs, a beautiful home. But just under the surface, my life was a nightmare. He was abusive and controlling.<\/p>\n

It didn’t take long for me to believe the cruel things he said: “You’re ugly!” “I hate you!” “You don’t know anything!”<\/p>\n

Still, I stayed. He was better around our daughters, Marija and Courtney, and I didn’t want to break up our family. To deal with the pain, I overate. I felt worthless. Until one day I grew the courage to leave him. For good.<\/p>\n

Starting over was a blessing. I’d never been so happy with the girls, and I threw myself back into health and fitness. One Sunday I was invited to a Bengals game. The Ben-Gals took the field, and I was eight years old again, mesmerized by the glamour of those strong, beautiful women. That’s what I want to b<\/em>e, I thought.<\/p>\n

The idea was ridiculous. But it inspired me to sign up for a dance class. One of the other girls had once cheered for the Ben-Gals. “You’re really good,” she said. “You should think about trying out for the squad.”<\/p>\n

She didn’t think I was too old. Back home I went online and read up on the Ben-Gals. The pay was low. There were long practices, public appearances, charity work. I loved the idea of helping the community, and I could handle the low salary and hectic schedule…I printed out the application.<\/p>\n

It’s not like I’ll make it<\/em>, I thought, stuffing it in the mailbox.<\/p>\n

A few weeks later I arrived at Paul Brown Stadium for the first round of auditions. The girls came in droves! About 120 of them. I looked around at the army of Barbies and panicked. Their faces were wrinkle-free, their lips lustrous and their hair—oh, their hair! I was the oldest. By far.<\/p>\n

“Five, six, seven, eight!” a judge called. I kicked, did the double turn, then launched into a leap and…tripped<\/em>. I tried once more and landed it. Phew! <\/em>After a few more rounds of tryouts, they called my number. I’d made it to the finals!<\/p>\n

There, my kicks were high (my hair was even higher), my leaps were on point and I nailed the dance.<\/p>\n

Now it was time to find out if I was good enough. The girls came over and sat down next to me. I held that all-important letter, my hand trembling. I imagined myself running out onto the field, shaking those orange-and-black pom-poms.<\/p>\n

I read it aloud: “Dear Ben-Gal Candidate, We appreciate your hard work. Unfortunately, your score did not make the final squad.”<\/p>\n

I’d just been rejected. On air. In front of the whole city. The director turned off the cameras. “Hey,” he said, “I’m really sorry.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The girls leaned in. “You did great, Mom,” Marija assured me.<\/p>\n

“You made it to finals—most people never get that far,” Courtney said.<\/p>\n

After wiping my tears, a calm fell over me. The girls were right. I’d overcome years of pain and abuse to make it to the finals of being an NFL cheerleader! How crazy was that? I was already a winner with two beautiful girls—cheerleaders of my own. That<\/em> was something to celebrate!<\/p>\n

“You know, Mom, you can try out again,” Marija piped up.<\/p>\n

“Please!” Courtney added.<\/p>\n

That decided it. The next year I worked even harder and made it to the finals again. A few days later I was interviewed on a radio show, along with two other girls who’d tried out. The director of the Ben-Gals walked in.<\/p>\n

“You ladies are going to find out if you’ve made the squad, right here on the air!” she said, handing us each an envelope.<\/p>\n

I flashed back to the “Making of a Ben-Gal” program. I couldn’t be rejected in front of the whole city again, could I?<\/p>\n

“Why don’t you open yours first, Laura?” the host asked.<\/p>\n

I pulled out the letter. There were words all over the page, but I only saw one: “Congratulations!” I bawled.<\/p>\n

This year I’ll turn 44. I’m still the oldest cheerleader in the NFL. Other than “Mom” it’s the title I’m most proud of. Each time I grab those orange-and-black pom-poms, I’m reminded that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Just have faith, and remember: Go! Fight! Win!<\/p>\n

Watch<\/a> as Laura shares more Ben-Gal inspiration!<\/p>\n

Download your FREE ebook, The Power of Hope: 7 Inspirational Stories of People Rediscovering Faith, Hope and Love<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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