Cheerleader doesn’t hide her true spirit
Megan Welter isn’t your typical pro football cheerleader.
The 28-year-old member of the Arizona Cardinals squad has a background not generally associated with pom-poms and hot pants. She’s a United States Army veteran who served as a platoon leader in Iraq.
Welter started ballet classes when she was 3 years old and danced competitively from the age of 9. After high school, she participated on her college dance team. But when she graduated in 2007, she shelved her dreams of a career in dance.
“The war was going on at the time when I graduated college,” she said. “I wanted to take a job that was going to be meaningful, so I decided to join the Army.”
Welter completed basic training and enrolled in officer training school.
“I was commissioned a second lieutenant at the end of April in2007,” she said. “From there I became cable platoon leader, and I deployed a month later from Henning [Air Force Base] to my unit in Iraq.”
During her 16-month tour, another NFL team came to Iraq with their cheerleaders to entertain the troops.
“I remember talking to them, getting information, seeing if it was even a possibility,” she said.
After she returned home, it took her three seasons to gather the courage to audition for the Cardinals, but in 2011 she went for it.
She said one of the highlights of each game is when she hears the national anthem and a huge American flag is unfurled across the field.
“When you see the flag, it means a lot, you know, because our country has given us so many freedoms, and to be a part of fighting for that and maintaining that, it, it means a lot,” she said.
“So yes, it gives me goose bumps. I can’t help it.”
Golf’s good guys
Golf Digest came up with a unique survey for its September issue. It ranked the “Good Guys” on the PGA Tour.
Topping the list was Steve Stricker, which would come as little surprise. But the magazine put together criteria and surveyed a variety of people who could best answer the questions: tournament directors, locker room attendants, players, caddies, media, golf administrators and tournament volunteers. They were asked to score active players they know personally from 1 (awful) to 10 (great).
The criteria included the players’ personal involvement in charity, being friendly to fans, being gracious to the “little people” (drivers, attendants, volunteers), being nice when no one is looking, being good ambassadors for the sport, media friendly and keeping their entourages friendly.
Stricker had an average score of 9.25.
Rounding out the top 10 were Brandt Snedeker, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell, Joe Durant, Adam Scott, Bo Van Pelt, Rory McIlroy and Zach Johnson. Five of them are in the top 10 in the world ranking.
The one that stands out his Joe Durant, who lost his card and played this year through limited status as a past champion and on the Web.com Tour. Durant’s “Good Guy” rating was 8.25 to rank No. 6.
Racy remark
NASCAR driver Danica Patrick was chosen No. 1 on Sportsnet’s most attractive female athletes list.
“I imagine it surprised Danica,” wrote RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com. “She’s not used to finishing first.”
Quote of the day
“He is not afraid to talk, but the good thing is, I think he’s going to be able to back it up.” Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema on linebacker Myke Tavarres
Sports, Pages 20 on 07/31/2013