Former NFL cheerleaders claim they endured 'dark toxic culture'

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Life isn’t always peppy for an NFL cheerleader.

In light of a recent scandal that saw former Dallas Cowboys executive Rich Dalrymple leave after he was accused of peeping at cheerleaders while they stripped down in a locker room, several former cheer squad members came forward to talk about the “dark toxic culture” that they’ve endured.

Dalrymple’s departure left the Cowboys $2.4 million lighter, an amount awarded to the cheerleaders in a settlement.

On top of the voyeurism allegations, the former Cowboys communications executive was also accused of snapping upskirt photos of Charlotte Jones Anderson — the daughter of team owner Jerry Jones — in 2015.

Dalrymple left the Cowboys on Feb. 2 after a 32-year career in the NFL. He has denied the allegations.

Speaking with NewsNation, one-time Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader Meagan Pravden said no one has been able to speak about the real issues and misogyny that plague the NFL.

According to Pravden, victims are banned from speaking about their experiences thanks to non-disclosure agreements they signed.

Accusations made through the years include complaints that sponsors and suite owners of the Washington Commanders have watched topless cheerleaders or seen them nude during calendar photoshoots, the New York Post reported.

Mhkeeba Pate, one of four ex-cheerleaders who spoke up about the humiliation, low pay and mental abuse, said “they were actually filmed and put into a soft porn video” reportedly requested by Commanders owner Dan Snyder.

Kristan Ware told NewsNation she was made fun of by Miami Dolphins execs for talking about her faith and virginity on social media. Ware claimed she was grilled by directors and coaches about her faith and convictions and was told she wasn’t “allowed to mention God on the team anymore” and that she “needed to ‘develop into a real woman.'”

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Ex-Los Angeles Rams cheerleader Lisa Guerrero stated that given they were  team ambassadors, to be “treated disrespectfully, to be abused, harassed, insulted is absolutely wrong.”