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The Detroit Lions announced Monday that cheerleaders will be added for the 2016 season. There are now six NFL teams without an affiliated cheerleading squad -- the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers.
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"The Ford Family is unwavering in their commitment to improving the Detroit Lions fan experience on and off the field," Lions president Rod Wood said in a statement. "After thorough consideration and receiving input from our fans through season ticket member surveys and focus groups, we believe that this is an opportunity to elevate our game day entertainment."
Auditions for the Lions' cheerleaders will begin on Saturday, June 25 at Ford Field with call-backs the remainder of the weekend. Following auditions, there will be a five-day training camp for finalists in mid-July.
The Lions' cheerleaders will be introduced in August and will make their regular-season debut at the home opener on Sept. 18 against the Tennessee Titans.
The cheerleaders will be coached by Rebecca Girard-Smoker, who joins the Lions after more than 25 years of experience in sports entertainment working with the NBA, WNBA, AFL, MLB and NCAA. She spent 10 seasons with Palace Sports and Entertainment as the team director for the Detroit Pistons Dance Team.
"We have maintained all along that if we added cheerleaders it would be done the right way and hiring Rebecca is a great first step," Wood said. "Her experience locally and nationally will ensure that Detroit Lions cheerleaders will be great representatives of our team as well as ambassadors to the community."
