NOT-SO-CHEERY

Former Houston Texans Cheerleaders Allege Harassment, ‘Shaming Behavior’ in Lawsuit

The cheerleaders also claim they weren’t always paid for their work and were exposed to fans without adequate security.

Three former Houston Texans cheerleaders filed a class-action lawsuit Tuesday against the franchise and the team’s director of cheerleading, Alto Gary, for allegedly making them work without pay, subjecting them to “shaming behavior,” and exposing them to fans with limited or no security, according to The Washington Post. Messages provided to the newspaper show cheerleaders being pressured to lose weight. One plaintiff said that off-the-clock hours were necessary to keep a spot on the team. “I knew what I would be making when I signed up,” the anonymous plaintiff said. “I didn’t know half the hours I worked, I wasn’t going to be paid for.” The lawsuit also claimed that the squad’s leadership would send them out to events with fans without security, leaving them susceptible to harassment, and did not change policies even after cheerleaders raised concerns. A source familiar with the Texans’ response said that increased security was provided to the cheerleaders after complaints were received. Gary did not respond to request for comment from the Post. This comes after a New Orleans Saints cheerleader filed a suit in March against the team after her firing.