The New York Jets Flight Crew, recognized as the official cheerleading squad for the New York Jets, a prominent team in the National Football League (NFL). This dynamic group was originally founded in 2006 under the name New York Jets Flag Crew, featuring a small ensemble of six talented female flag carriers. Among them was Gina G., a standout from Kings Park, New York, whose exceptional performance skills and leadership were instrumental in driving the crew to immediate success and popularity.
34-462: The crowd went wild, and the demand for more excitement from the squad grew, leading to the formation of the inaugural New York Jets Flight Crew in 2007. This transformation marked a new chapter, as the team expanded and embraced a full cheerleading format. The Flight Crew quickly became a beloved part of the Jets’ game-day experience, capturing the spirit of the fans and adding an electrifying presence to
68-521: A clear name other than "blue", the distinctive taste of the blue raspberry flavor mix has gone on to become a compound flavor that some other foods (gum, ice cream, rock candy, fluoride toothpaste) occasionally borrow ("cotton-candy flavored ice cream") to invoke the nostalgia of cotton candy. The sale of blue cotton candy at fairgrounds in the 1950s is one of the first documented instances of blue-raspberry flavoring in America. Pink bubble gum went through
102-779: A non-competitive environment." Dallas Cowboys cheerleader The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (sometimes initialized as DCC , and officially nicknamed "America's Sweethearts") are the National Football League cheerleading squad representing the Dallas Cowboys team. During a game between the Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons at the Cotton Bowl during the 1967 season, the short skirted, well-endowed stripper named Bubbles Cash caused
136-755: A paper cone. It is made and sold globally, as candy floss in the United Kingdom , Ireland , India , New Zealand , Sri Lanka and South Africa , as fairy floss in Australia , as barbe à papa "daddy's beard" in France , as شعر البنات "girl's hair" in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia , as غزل البنات "girl’s yarn" in Egypt . Similar confections include Korean kkul-tarae and Iranian pashmak . Several sources track
170-427: A period, the cotton-like product builds up on the inside walls of the larger bowl, at which point machine operators twirl a stick or cone around the rim of the large catching bowl, gathering the sugar strands into portions which are served on stick or cone, or in plastic bags. As the sugar reserve bowl empties, the operator recharges it with more feedstock. The product is sensitive to humidity, and in humid summer locales,
204-711: A similar transition from specific branded product to a generic flavor that transcended the original confection, and "bubble gum flavor" often shows up in the same product categories as "cotton candy flavor". In 1978, the first automated machine was used for the production of cotton candy. Since then, many variants have appeared, ranging in size from counter-top to party- and carnival-size. Modern machines for commercial use can hold up to 3 pounds (1.4 kg) of sugar, have storage for extra flavors, and have bowls that spin at 3,450 revolutions per minute. In February 2024, state of Tamil Nadu in India and Union of Puducherry implemented
238-515: A tremendous stir in the crowd that turned to cheers when she walked down the stands staircase on the 50-yard line carrying cotton candy in each hand. She became an instant public sensation in Dallas, also gaining attention from Cowboys General Manager Tex Schramm . Understanding the importance of the entertainment industry to the Cowboys' profitability, Schramm was inspired to form a cheerleading squad dressed in similar fashion to Cash. Preparing for
272-407: A wide audience at the 1904 World's Fair as Fairy Floss with great success, selling 68,655 boxes at 25¢ ($ 8.48 today) per box. On September 6, 1905, Albert D. Robinson of Lynn, Massachusetts submitted his patent for an electric candy-spinning machine, a combination of an electronic starter and motor-driven rotatable bowl that maintained heating efficiently. By May 1907, he transferred the rights to
306-400: Is a spun sugar confection that resembles cotton . It is made by heating and liquefying sugar, and spinning it centrifugally through minute holes, causing it to rapidly cool and re-solidify into fine strands. It usually contains small amounts of flavoring or food coloring . It is often sold at fairs , circuses , carnivals , and festivals , served in a plastic bag , on a stick, or on
340-489: The 1970 season, Schramm decided to change the Cheerleaders' image to boost attendance. At first the main change was to create an all-female squad and change the uniforms and style of cheerleading routines to be primarily dance and less like traditional acrobatic routines like that of high school or college cheerleading squads. The ten local high school cheerleaders who were selected for the 1970 season were also involved in
374-403: The 1972 squad consisted of adults, this allowed the possibility of again redesigning the uniforms to introduce a more revealing look (most notably transitioning from the traditional cheerleader skirt to hot pants ) closer to the classic DCC image that is known today. Even greater national attention came in the fall of 1977 when the Cowboys, along with designer and photographer Bob Shaw, produced
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#1732772425867408-631: The 46, ten were chosen to become the first members of the Jets Flight Crew. The organization continued to stress that the squad was not cheerleaders but rather a unique flag carrier/dance team. Following their inaugural season, the Flight Crew held open auditions for the first time in 2008, increasing the number of members from 10 to 22, as the squad had been well received among the fans in 2007. The Jets announced their partnership with Marc Eckō , founder of Eckō Unltd. , who agreed to design
442-739: The DCC cheering and performing at Cowboys home games. For decades the DCC also act as advocates for female empowerment in the DFW metroplex. The DCC were the subject of the documentary Daughters of the Sexual Revolution: The Untold Story of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders released in November 2018. It focuses on Suzanne Mitchell who was the director of the team from 1972 to 1989. In December 2021,
476-456: The Flight Crew's 2008 uniforms. The Flight Crew was expanded from 22 to 30 members in 2009. In 2010, the Jets, again, increased the size of the crew to as many as 40 members with Garvey noting that "We want to be the biggest presence we can be in the new stadium ." In 2009, a Flight Crew swimsuit calendar was introduced, a testament to the squad's growing importance within the organization and in
510-577: The General Electric Company of New York. His patent remains today as the basic cotton candy machine. In 1915, food writer Julia Davis Chandler described "Candy Cotton" being sold at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition . Joseph Lascaux, a dentist from New Orleans , Louisiana , invented a similar cotton candy machine in 1921. His patent named the sweet confection "cotton candy", eventually overtaking
544-520: The Gold Medal brand (which uses the names "Boo Blue" and "Silly Nilly"). Cotton candy may come out purple when mixed. Cotton candy machines were notoriously unreliable until Gold Medal's invention of a sprung base in 1949—since then, they have manufactured nearly all commercial cotton candy machines and much of the cotton candy in the US. Typically, once spun, cotton candy is only marketed by color. Absent
578-568: The Jets at various community events and continuing to make a positive impact. The Jets Flag Crew made its debut on October 15, 2006, during a highly anticipated home game against their division rivals, the Miami Dolphins. This marked a significant moment for the New York Jets, as the team introduced this unique squad to enhance the game-day experience. The Jets emphasized that the crew consisted of talented female members who took on
612-632: The United States (on and off the field), as well as overseas. Included in these tours are regular appearances in United Service Organizations (USO) tours, which began during the 1979 holiday season for U.S. troops stationed in South Korea . The DCC held a ceremony inaugurating the second game of the 1994 FIFA World Cup between Spain and South Korea. Former DCCs Kelli McGonagill Finglass and Judy Trammell became
646-432: The United States, National Cotton Candy Day is celebrated on December 7. Typical machines used to make cotton candy include a spinning head enclosing a small "sugar reserve" bowl into which a charge of granulated, colored sugar (or separate sugar and food coloring) is poured. Heaters near the rim of the head melt the sugar, which is squeezed out through tiny holes by centrifugal force . Colored sugar packaged specially for
680-601: The community. The 2010 calendar featured members of the 2009 squad on beaches in New York and New Jersey while Linda W. served as the cover model. The following year, shooting for the 2011 calendar took place in Aruba. The organization introduced the Jets Junior Flight Crew in 2010, a junior program that offers children the opportunity to train with the Flight Crew while improving their "talent and abilities in
714-411: The crew was to "enhance the overall fan experience by bringing additional energy and enthusiasm to each home game." Denise Garvey, a former Knicks City Dancer and Cowboys cheerleader , was brought in to coordinate the squad. Given her expertise and experience in performance and dance, Garvey, with the support of the organization, held closed auditions, inviting 46 young women to try out for the squad. Of
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#1732772425867748-401: The crew, composed of females who relieved their male counterparts, were "flag carriers" and not cheerleaders. The Jets officially announced the creation of the Jets Flight Crew on August 7, 2007. The Flag Crew had been well received the previous year, and the team felt it best to take the next step and organize an official squad that could actively participate during home games. The intention of
782-620: The first NFL cheerleader poster for the Dallas Cowboys. This, and an Esquire magazine article by Shaw in October 1977, led to the squad appearing on two network TV specials, NBC Rock-n-Roll Sports Classic and The Osmond Brothers Special on ABC . Also that year, the DCC produced their own one-hour special, The 36 Most Beautiful Girls in Texas , which aired on ABC prior to the season opener of Monday Night Football (which coincidentally
816-620: The magazine Texas Monthly released an 8-episode podcast called "America's Girls," featuring interviews with former cheerleaders and other people involved with the DCC. Along with their two TV movies, the DCC has also appeared on numerous TV shows and specials as performers, guest acting roles, and game show contestants. Some of the shows on which they have appeared include: Many former DCCs have gone on to achieve success in entertainment, sports marketing, and other notable endeavors. They include: Cotton candy Cotton candy , also known as candy floss ( candyfloss ) and fairy floss ,
850-475: The name "fairy floss", although it retains this name in Australia. In the 1970s, an automatic cotton candy machine was created which made the product and packaged it, making it easier to produce at carnivals, stalls and other events requiring more portable production. Tootsie Roll Industries , the world's largest cotton candy manufacturer, produces a bagged, fruit-flavored version called Fluffy Stuff . In
884-546: The origin of cotton candy to a form of spun sugar found in Europe in the 19th century. At that time, spun sugar was an expensive, labor-intensive endeavor and was not generally available to the average person. Others suggest versions of spun sugar originated in Italy as early as the 15th century. Machine-spun cotton candy was invented in 1897 by dentist William Morrison and confectioner John C. Wharton, and first introduced to
918-441: The process can be messy and sticky. The source material for candy mesh is usually both colored and flavored. When spun, cotton candy is white because it is made from sugar, but adding dye or coloring transforms the color. Originally, cotton candy was just white. In the US, cotton candy is available in a wide variety of flavors, but two flavor-blend colors predominate— blue raspberry and pink vanilla , both originally formulated by
952-437: The process is milled with melting characteristics and a crystal size optimized for the head and heated holes; granulated sugar used in baking contains fine crystals which spin out unmelted, while rock sugar crystals are too large to properly contact the heater, slowing the production of cotton candy. The molten sugar solidifies in the air and is caught in a larger bowl which totally surrounds the spinning head. Left to operate for
986-465: The role of "flag carriers," distinguishing themselves from traditional cheerleaders. This innovative approach was designed to bring a fresh energy to the sidelines while still honoring the longstanding tradition of cheerleading in the NFL. The crew's primary function was to energize the crowd and showcase their support for the team through vibrant flag displays and engaging performances. The team stressed that
1020-706: The show running successfully for 16 seasons, CMT decided to not renew the show for its 17th season. A new series, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders aired on Netflix on June 20, 2024. The DCC also held an opening ceremony and podium at the 2013 and 2018 , 2021 and 2023 United States Grands Prix races in Austin, Texas. They received the FIFA delegation to promote the 2022 FIFA World Cup . The DCC releases several calendars every year. More recently, in addition to their annual swimsuit calendar, they also release an annual "sideline calendar," featuring photos of
1054-404: The sidelines. Their choreographed routines, high-energy performances, and infectious smiles captivated the audience, solidifying their role as a vital component of the Jets’ tradition. Currently, the Flight Crew is on hiatus until 2024 as they undergo a rebranding initiative. Despite this pause in performances, the members of the squad remain actively engaged in charitable endeavors, representing
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1088-584: The squad's director and choreographer, respectively. From 2006 to 2021, the Cheerleaders produced their own reality television series, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team , which aired on Country Music Television (CMT) during the NFL football season. The series followed the auditioning process of the annual squad. Traditionally, each episode would include segments of the “Training Camp Candidates” and “Veteran Candidates” dancing along to music and learning new choreography from guest choreographers. Despite
1122-591: The task of totally redesigning the uniforms and creating new dance style cheer routines under Dee Brock 's direction and with the help of a choreographer. In 1971, the qualification rules changed to allow not only local female cheerleaders to compete for a spot on the squad, but also high school drill team officers. Then in 1972, Texie Waterman , a New York choreographer, was recruited and assigned to auditioning and training an entirely new female squad who would all be over 18 years of age, searching for attractive appearance, athletic ability, and raw talent as performers. Since
1156-670: Was a game that the Cowboys hosted). On January 14, 1979 , one week before the Cowboys played in Super Bowl XIII , the made-for-TV movie The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders aired. Starring Bert Convy and Jane Seymour , it had a 48% share of the national television audience. On January 13, 1980 , a sequel to the original TV movie, The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders II , aired. The Cheerleaders have made many other TV appearances since then, and their likeness has been featured on various merchandise, such as posters, T-shirts, trading cards, and calendars. The DCC has also toured throughout
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