Finally! The Ravens stand up to someone breaking the rules!

[gmdino]

Sadly its a cheerleader...

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. However, on an appearance on "Access Hollywood", Lenz claimed she was barred from the Super Bowl because she gained weight.

"During the season, I was 124. That was consistently, they wanted me to get back down to 121, 120, which is what I was at when I was 18, 19, when I started on the team," she said. "That was the only disciplinary action I had during the year. I got benched because of my weight, and they said that was the reason. Anybody that had disciplinary action taken during the season was automatically disqualified [from the Super Bowl]. However, there are some girls on the team that were also benched for their weight, and are going. So they just aren't consistent, it isn't fair. That's why I brought this to the attention of the fans because what they're doing is not right."

The team issued a statement saying Lenz's weight gain did not factor into their decision to not bring her to New Orleans.

"As set by the NFL, we are permitted to bring 32 cheerleaders to the Super Bowl. Our selection process was based upon three criteria: seniority, performance ability and personal conduct throughout the season. As much as we would like to take the whole team, we are unable to do so, due to parameters set by the NFL."

Sure, many cheerleaders are left out, but one would think that a 5-year retiring veteran would be a sure lock, right?

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.

Because obviously everyone can tell the difference between 121 and 124 pounds!

Maybe she could have used some deer velvet spray to keep the weight off?

[St.Bernard]

I hope they lose anyway.

[Woodley]

Originally Posted by gmdino

"During the season, I was 224. That was consistently, they wanted me to get back down to 121, 120, which is what I was at when I was 18, 19, when I started on the team," she said. "That was the only disciplinary action I had during the year. I got benched because of my weight, and they said that was the reason. Anybody that had disciplinary action taken during the season was automatically disqualified [from the Super Bowl]. However, there are some girls on the team that were also benched for their weight, and are going. So they just aren't consistent, it isn't fair. That's why I brought this to the attention of the fans because what they're doing is not right."


Because obviously everyone can tell the difference between 121 and 124 pounds!

I changed it in the article. It had to have been a misprint.

[BmorePat87]

lol, I'm sure it was over 3 pounds.

[urinalcake]

Originally Posted by RavensLover69

lol, I'm sure it was over 3 pounds.

watched the video. confirmed, was not over 3 lbs.

[Bmoreblitz]

Maybe it was HER retirement that sparked this amazing run! They should give her a parade!

[BengaliJack]

Ive seen 5 pounds ugly a woman up in a bad way.........But....Im guessing there is a SMELL involved in there somewhere she's failing to disclose.

[yellowxdiscipline]

124..... Dayum what a lard ***..

[gmdino]

Originally Posted by urinalcake

watched the video. confirmed, was not over 3 lbs.

What was it over then?

I just watched it and if the only thing she was "disciplined" for was being 1.6 pounds over weight than she's telling the truth.

She had seniority too.

Dollars to donuts there's an old white guy making this call too.

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by Bmoreblitz

Maybe it was HER retirement that sparked this amazing run! They should give her a parade!

shes over 20 thats too old for a superbowl cheerleader.... sad sad.

[BengaliJack]

Originally Posted by gmdino

What was it over then?


Dollars to donuts there's an old white guy making this call too.

Isnt there always an old white guy making the call at some point?

[henrizzle]

Idk... She did look a little chubby in the video...

[Ray Rice Rutgers Running]

Not surprising.
My 9/10 neighbor didn't make the cut as a ravens cheerleader because they said she needed a boob job lol.
Also why is this a story again?
Maybe members of the ravens marching band should start *****ing that they aren't being sent.

[STC]

Keep her fat *** in Baltimore.

[gmdino]

Originally Posted by Ray Rice Rutgers Running

Not surprising.
My 9/10 neighbor didn't make the cut as a ravens cheerleader because they said she needed a boob job lol.
Also why is this a story again?
Maybe members of the ravens marching band should start *****ing that they aren't being sent.

Just because the Ravens had no problem signing Stallworth after he killed a guy, has Ray Lewis as the face of the organization despite, well, everything off the field and they benched a cheerleader for gaining three pounds!

[Jabberwocky]

Originally Posted by Bmoreblitz

Maybe it was HER retirement that sparked this amazing run! They should give her a parade!

I say the male Ravens cheerleaders boycott the Super Bowl, then. No one wants to see them anyway.

[Fan_in_Kettering]

The funniest thing about this whole thread is that it was started by a Steelers fan. Does Pittsburgh have cheerleaders? No. Neither does Cleveland. Pittsburgh and Cleveland are cities where men are men, women are men, and sheep sleep with one eye open.

[Luvnit2]

Originally Posted by gmdino

Sadly its a cheerleader...

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. However, on an appearance on "Access Hollywood", Lenz claimed she was barred from the Super Bowl because she gained weight.

"During the season, I was 124. That was consistently, they wanted me to get back down to 121, 120, which is what I was at when I was 18, 19, when I started on the team," she said. "That was the only disciplinary action I had during the year. I got benched because of my weight, and they said that was the reason. Anybody that had disciplinary action taken during the season was automatically disqualified [from the Super Bowl]. However, there are some girls on the team that were also benched for their weight, and are going. So they just aren't consistent, it isn't fair. That's why I brought this to the attention of the fans because what they're doing is not right."

The team issued a statement saying Lenz's weight gain did not factor into their decision to not bring her to New Orleans.

"As set by the NFL, we are permitted to bring 32 cheerleaders to the Super Bowl. Our selection process was based upon three criteria: seniority, performance ability and personal conduct throughout the season. As much as we would like to take the whole team, we are unable to do so, due to parameters set by the NFL."

Sure, many cheerleaders are left out, but one would think that a 5-year retiring veteran would be a sure lock, right?

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.

Because obviously everyone can tell the difference between 121 and 124 pounds!

Maybe she could have used some deer velvet spray to keep the weight off?

The Steelers organization held tryouts for cheerleaders. They could not find 25 women weighing less than 125 lbs. in the Pittsburgh area so they decided no cheerleaders at all.

Sad, really sad.