Ravens cheerleader says she gained 2 lbs, lost spot at Super Bowl

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BALTIMORE, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Baltimore Ravens' cheerleader Courtney Lenz says she was barred from performing at the Super Bowl Sunday because she gained less than two pounds.

Lenz, 23, began cheering for the Ravens when she was 18 and announced her retirement earlier this month at the Ravens' last home game against the Colts.

She has accused the Ravens of not allowing her to cheer at the Super Bowl in retaliation for her quitting.

However, Ravens officials said the team is only allowed to take a portion of its 60-member cheerleading team to the Super Bowl.

"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," spokeswoman Heather Harness, said in a statement to ABCNews.com.

Lenz told TV's "Inside Edition" she has more seniority than some of the women attending.

"They say whoever they had to take disciplinary action towards was automatically disqualified from attending the Super Bowl ... The only disciplinary action they took towards me was ... I was benched for my weight ... I was consistent at 124, and went up to about 125.6, so 1.6 pounds," she said.

Lenz went on to say she was told by Ravens officials she was left off the Super Bowl roster because she had a "rough year."

"I understand you have to keep a certain physique. It's the business; it's NFL cheerleading. You have to fit into the uniform. But over a couple of pounds, to take away something that I've put this much hard work and dedication into? It just blows my mind that they could do that," she said.