Detroit Pride Cheerleaders Gear Up for Lions Tryouts

Detroit, MI — Perhaps the people who cheered the loudest when the Detroit Lions announced their decision to add an official cheerleading squad were the Detroit Pride.

In recent seasons, the Pride has served as the Lions' unofficial cheerleaders, but were restricted to the stadium seats. Now, they're getting their long-awaited shot to perform on an NFL field.

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“Since I started with Pride, I always wanted to work my way onto an NFL field and be out there cheering on the Lions,” Detroit Pride member Courtney Lawhead told the Detroit News.

"It’ll just make the atmosphere more energetic and get the fans more pumped up. It gives them something to be excited about watching us dance and something at halftime that they can watch, as well."

"I know my girls that have been in training for several years are prepared for (tryouts) but a lot of people, it will be very difficult to make the team," said Detroit Pride owner Andrea Wilamowski.

“(Girard-Smoker) is going to pick a tough team, so they better be ready because there’s going to be girls upset they didn’t make it and understandably not everybody can.”

The Pride have been one of the biggest promoters of the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders tryouts, which begin Saturday.

The Lions will hold auditions for "female-identifying applicants" June 25 at Ford Field. Registration is required ($25) and information is available on the Lions website or by calling (313) 262-2300.

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