Former Miami Dolphins Cheerleader Shocked By Virginity Discussion

MIAMI, FL — A former Miami Dolphins fan favorite cheerleader charged on Thursday that her pledge of virginity was once the topic of an uncomfortable closed-office interview with four executives at the team's training camp. Kristan Ann Ware accused the Dolphins and the National Football League of gender and religious discrimination on behalf of herself and "other cheerleaders not yet named." She cheered on the squad from May 2014 until April 2017.

"Kristan walked into the meeting and all of the other attendees were seated behind a long table on one side," according to Ware's complaint. "Kristan sat in one chair across from the four interviewers on the other side of the table."

The meeting was attended by Director Dorie Grogan of the cheerleading squad, Dolphins events and entertainment coordinator Ariana Aubert, Dolphins choreographer Brooke Nix and another executive identified in the complaint as Jamie Quadrozzi. The meeting took place two days after Ware shared a post about her Christian baptism on her personal Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts.

The complaint, which was filed with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, charged that Grogan "picked up a stack of papers, tapped them against the table and said, 'Let's talk about your virginity," Ware maintained in the document. "Kristan was speechless and looked to the coaches for help. Dorie then asked Krisan how everyone knew that she was a virgin."

Ware, her attorney: Sara Blackwell of The Blackwell Firm and former New Orleans Saints cheerleader Bailey Davis appeared on ESPN Thursday.

"As far as religious discrimination for a cheerleader, I don't know of any others," Blackwell told Patch of Ware's case. "There's a lot of hypocrisy in a lot of it."

During the ESPN broadcast of "Outside The Lines," Davis claimed that New Orleans cheerleaders were routinely made to sell 20 calendars prior to home games in order to qualify for that day's field performance. They were often sent into crowds outside the stadium without security. She too is represented by Blackwell.

"People are drinking. They are not paying attention to what they are saying," Davis explained. "So they would bump into us. They would grab our arms. They would grab the calendars out of our hands. They would talk about our bodies. They would mention things that they would want to do to us. It was just complete sexual harassment. It was scary but at the time you’re like 'okay well this is part of it. I’m walking around in a two piece. I’m trying to sell a picture of myself in a bikini' so it just comes with the territory."

The Dolphins did not immediately respond to a request for comment but the team told ESPN that it is committed to providing a "positive work environment" for everyone associated with the organization.

The NFL told the network that all teams support fair employment practices. "Everyone who works in the NFL, including cheerleaders, has the right to work in a positive and respectful environment that is free from any and all forms of harassment and discrimination and fully complies with state and federal laws," the league said in a statement to ESPN.

Ware maintained in her complaint that she was pressured by fellow cheerleaders to disclose her virginity pledge during a London bus trip in which the other women pressed her about her favorite sex play music list. At the time, Ware acknowledged that she didn't have such a music list since she wore a "true love waits" ring to demonstrate her commitment to wait until marriage before sex as part of her Christian beliefs.

"Dorie interrupted Kristan and said that 'as far as we are concerned you have taken something that was once upon a time pure and beautiful and you've made it dirty,'" the complaint said of the meeting. "Kristan started tearing up and she was astonished, shocked and hurt. She was also bewildered at the meaning and reason for this statement. Brooke looked at Kristan and said 'I think it is still beautiful, but you need to stop talking about it.'"

Moreover, Grogan allegedly told the cheerleader that she could be herself on her own time but that she could never discuss her virginity again with anyone from the team. "She also told Kristan that she needed to develop into a woman," the complaint said.

Ware claims that she "cried every single day for months" based on Grogan's repeated comments and treatment of her. She said that she suffered from anxiety and depression as a result of the treatment and was given prescriptions for anti-anxiety and anti-depression medication.

"She called her mom and spiritual mentor daily," according to the complaint. "Kristan wanted to seek counseling but did not have insurance so she could not afford it. Kristan ended up having physical manifestations from the emotional trauma. She had an MRI of her brain and many other medical tests trying to figure out what was wrong with her."

Unlike the cheerleaders, the complaint charged that Dolphins football players are permitted to express their religious faith in "any and every way they want without persecution or disapproval." The complaint said that the team supports the players' belief systems and has even provided them with a preacher and held prayer sessions.

"Several players prayed on the 50-yard line before a game," the complaint said. "They profess their faith online, on social media, to fellow players, to the public and practice their faith with complete freedom. A pastor attends every home game for prayers and other unknown Christian opportunities."

The complaint named players Michael Thomas, Ryan Tannehill, Jordan Trip and Jason Fox as being known for their Christian faith.

Photo courtesy Kristan Ann Ware and The Blackwell Firm