Call me a fat kid (seriously, it’s totally cool), but I love the Super Bowl for a ton of reasons: one of those is the food! That’s the best part of a Super Bowl party (well that and the Bud Light and popping a bottle of Veuve if your team wins, although the Eagles have never won, so I digress…).
Check out this press release from two of my FAVORITE Houston restaurants. If you’ve got leftovers, call me?
Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar (Heights location only) and BRC Gastropub are offering Super Bowl To-Go items for the big game this Sunday, February 2, 2014.
If you are hankering for good ole’ tailgate fare, Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar in the Heights is featuring a dozen (12) cheeseburger sliders for $18 as well as its scrumptious Frito Pie for 10 people, which and includes 1 gallon of chili, 1 large bag of Fritos, 1 quart of cheddar cheese, ½ quart of onions and ½ quart of jalapeños. In addition, customers can order one quart of Chile con queso and chips for $18 to go.
For something lighter, Liberty Kitchen also can prepare one quart of pimento cheese w/ crudités including carrots, celery and crackers for $20 as well as One pound of smoked salmon with smoke salt butter and sliced baguettes for $28.
BRC Gastropub is offering a dozen (12) grilled and roasted chicken legs with hot sauce syrup for $24 in addition to
Bud Light: The Blonde Side’s Super Bowl Beer
one dozen (12) pigs in blankets made with Wimmer’s hot dogs and wrapped in BRC’s famous cheddar biscuits for $27.
The restaurants require a 24-hour advance notice for orders but the sooner the better as the items may sell out. If you forget to order, call anyway, they will have extra on hand. Please call Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar at 713-802-0533 or BRC at 713-861-2233 or check out www.feedtx.com.
Find us on our twitter @brcgastropub or @libertykitchen.
Recently The Blonde Side was asked to share some fun and interesting facts and reasons to watch the Super Bowl for the awesome “inside scoop for the gal around town” online publication, Tidbits. It was featured in five of their cities (they are all over), check out the post below or click here to see the original content on the Tidbits website.
The awesome online publication is in a ton of cities, so click on the link above and scroll to the bottom for your city and subscribe – it keeps you in the know on important things, not just the Super Bowl!
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In anticipation of the Super Bowl this weekend, we turned to Jayme Lamm of The Blonde Side for party conversation starters. Grab your manicured foam finger and tick through the sports personality’s gal-friendly factoids.
1.The Basics. The Broncos are favored to win by 3, according to most Vegas sports books. That’s just a simple field goal, so every point matters.
2. Why Watch? This will be the first time since 1990 that the No. 1 offense (Denver) will face the No. 1 defense (Seattle). Translation: Plenty of aggressive plays by men in tight pants are anticipated.
3. So Fugly! USA Today claims this will be the ugliest Super Bowl in its 48-year history, with Denver wearing their almost-all-orange uniforms and Seattle wearing white. “Separately, the uniforms aren’t terrible. Mixed together, however, they make for an eyesore. It’s not peanut butter and jelly, it’s peanut butter and broccoli,” said reporter Chris Chase.
5.QB Breakdown Peyton Manning (Broncos) is going up against the younger, faster Russell Wilson (Seahawks), who was only nine years old when Peyton was drafted to the NFL. This will be Denver’s seventh appearance in a Super Bowl and Seattle’s second.
6. Blue Box Dreams. The trophy awarded to the winning team, the Vince Lombardi, is seven pounds of sterling silver, handcrafted by Tiffany & Co.
7. Betting on Bruno. Bruno Mars is expected to put on an epic halftime show, even better than he did at the Houston Rodeo. Not interested in the actual game? Fashionistas can get in on a “prop bet:” What will Bruno Mars be wearing on his head at the start of his performance? Fedora 2/3 | No hat 2/1 | Fur Hat 5/1 | Tuque 8/1
8. Sticker Shock. Ticket prices range from $3K -$14K. The most expensive ticket for the first-ever Super Bowl, 1967, was just $12.
9. Million Dollar Chance. Intuit gave small businesses a chance at a coveted commercial spot, which reportedly sell for $4 million each. One of four finalists – a pet food business in North Carolina, a compost company in Idaho called Poop, a Cali toy maker, or an organic egg farm in Minnesota – will have a professional spot aired for free on Sunday.
10. Fashion Forecast: Puffy Jackets This will be the first cold-weather city to host the game, outdoors. Jersey has an expected low of 23 plus a 20% chance of precipitation. (To date, the coldest played is Super Bowl ’72, played in New Orleans.)
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Screen-Shot-2014-01-30-at-11.06.56-AM.png650759Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-01-30 11:12:222014-11-19 11:54:14Tidbits: 10 Reasons to Watch the Super Bowl
Prop Bets Make the World (& the Super Bowl) Go Round
As much as I love the NFL’s final battle and am enamored with the question of who gets to hoist up the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the very end, there are other things that keep my attention come Sunday, ranked in this order: PROP BETS, hilarious tweets, Bud Light, guacamole, commercials, team-colored macaroons, the halftime show, the guy who looks cuter and cuter after every drink that I think I want to make out with.
The reason I don’t take to sports betting often is because I’m that dumbass that bets with passion. I know so much about sports, yet I throw all that potentially monetary knowledge out the window and bet based on a frivolous gut feeling because there’s no way my team can lose, and in the end, I always lose. But come prop bet time, I have no inside knowledge. I have absolutely no idea if Jay-Z is going to join Beyonce on stage or how many times they are going to show the Harbaugh parents on TV or if there are going to be any streakers on the field, so I actually, maybe, have a shot. Last year sports fans bet a record $98.9 million at Nevada casinos on Sunday’s game, and it wasn’t all just on the over/under.
And prop bets have become a thing, about as much as crying and drink throwing has become a thing on The Bachelor and condoms are a thing in Olympic Village. If it’s happening during the game, leading up to it or at the MVP ceremonies, odds are (get it?) you can put money on it. Prop bets, otherwise known as side bets or novelties are truly becoming a big deal.
Some of the biggest and most random prop bets from last year even included which team The President would pick to win (Ravens -290 | 49ers +210) and other frivolous segments like whether or not Beyonce would be showing cleavage when she performed her first song (Yes -275 | No +215).
You could even try your hand at wild inaccurate assumptions at what color Gatorade will be dumped on the head coach of the winning team (Yellow, Clear/Water, Orange, Red, Green, Blue – you name it). Last year, probably the craziest prop bet we saw was whether or not any Baltimore or San Francisco player on the active roster would be arrested during the week leading up to the game (the line was 5/1).
So if you’re not in Vegas or don’t already have a bookie on speed dial, you can set up your bets online, but be warned – last year I thought it was in the bag that the Harbaugh brothers would hug it out at the end of the game – I bet my rent on it, and they did not. They didn’t even cover the over for the handshake! That was a tough month.
Here are a few of the fun prop bets from Bovada’s website:
Who will be seen first on TV after kickoff?
Erin Andrews -140
Pam Oliver Even
Will the announcers say the word “marijuana” during the game?
Yes +350
No -600
Which song will Bruno Mars perform first?
Grenade 11/2
Just The Way You Are 9/1
Locked Out Of Heaven 4/5
Marry You 12/1
The Lazy Song 12/1
Treasure 3/1
Gorilla 10/1
What will Bruno Mars be wearing on his head at the start of his halftime performance?
Fedora -160
Fur Hat +500
Tuque +1000
No hat +200
Will Richard Sherman be interviewed on field after the game by Erin Andrews on the live FOX broadcast?
Yes +200
No -300
Will Michael Crabtree mention Richard Sherman in a tweet anytime from kickoff until final whistle?
Yes +300
No -500
Last year the prop bets hash tag generated 10,000 tweets per second at its peak, so it could be more interesting than the game if Peyton goes off. Let’s call a spade a spade: when it comes to prop bets, we’re all degenerates.
This article first ran on the sport’s section of CBS Man Cave Daily, under The Blonde Side’s column. Click here to see the original article.
Don’t you dare be that person who says you haven’t watched much Denver Broncos football this season, because Denver Broncos cheerleader Tara will surely call you out. “There is no way you haven’t watched the Denver Broncos this season. We have been the team to beat the past couple of seasons and Mr. Manning always makes the games exciting to watch,” she says flatly. And there’s no way you won’t be watching them come Super Bowl Sunday where Peyton can potentially win in Eli’s house like Eli did in Peyton’s house two years ago.
Having been on the sidelines as a Denver Broncos Cheerleader (DBC) for the past five seasons, and a self-proclaimed die-hard fan herself, Tara definitely knows what she’s talking about. Originally from Littleton, CO, a suburb just twenty miles south of Denver, Denver and all things football – including her favorite all-time player John Elway – are engrained in her DNA.
“I think Mr. Manning is a living legend. Watching him on the field 40 feet away is pretty surreal,” she says as of her current favorite player to watch. And pretty much everyone elses across the entire nation.
In Tara’s own words, here are some interesting things to note about the Denver Broncos and Sports Authority Field at Mile High:
1. The Denver Broncos cheerleading team is celebrating its 21st season and is arguably one of the best (if not THE best) cheerleading teams in the NFL.
2. Our director and co-director have been with the team all 21 seasons. They know what they are doing and are truly the best of the best in the business.
3. The DBC is made up of 26 of the most talented and beautiful women in the country. They all work extremely hard to uphold the DBC legacy on and off the field. They are all my friends and I love them dearly.
3. Sports Authority Field at Mile High is one of the largest stadiums in the NFL seating 76,000 fans.
4. We have had sold-out crowds for the last 348 games.
5. Broncos Country (our fans) are the loudest and most loyal fans in the NFL. Trust me this is not just my opinion… I have traveled to 10 different countries and four different states representing the Denver Broncos. I have met them all!
6. Mr. Bowlen has owned the Denver Broncos for 30 seasons and is the first owner in NFL history to reach 300 wins in 30 years.
Speaking of Broncos fans, Tara says the crowd at Sports Authority Field at Mile High is like none other. “The fans cheer loud and proud in rain, shine or snow. They are the most loyal and friendly fans in the NFL. I look forward to seeing them on Sundays. They are what make our mile high magic so special,” she says.
As for the toughest part of being an NFL cheerleader, it’s definitely the balance and scheduling for Tara. “I think it is always tough to juggle two jobs and a personal life. During our season the schedule can be tight. Between practice, charities, and work I find it difficult to have time for anything else. However, I wouldn’t change the feeling I have walking out of the tunnel on game day for anything!” But Tara admits one of her guiltiest pleasures comes when the team is on the road, and being able to watch football on her couch. “It’s nice to have lazy Sundays every now and again,” she says.
Tara doesn’t just dance and flash her pearly whites on the sidelines on Sundays, she does it for a living each and every day of the week as a dance teacher and choreographer. Just before we sat down to interview she had just finished choreography for Boise State University and was going over her own game day material.
But to show you just how tough the competition is to become a cheerleader, especially a DBC, Tara didn’t make the squad her first (or second) time around. “I tried out two times and made it to finals both times prior to being selected for the 2009 squad. It was a learning process and I became a better person and dancer each time. It taught me about perseverance and courage in order to reach my goals,” she says.
Oh the difference a few years can make as Tara recalls her best experience as a DBC thus far was just last year – being selected to the 2013 Pro Bowl. “Being selected as the 2013 Pro Bowl cheerleader was the proudest moment of my life. It was an honor to represent my teammates and coaches. Dreams do come true,” the optimist says.
Tara keeps that optimistic attitude on the field, always. It’s practically part of her uniform. “We are always cheering for our team and fans. It’s never too late to turn the game around,” she says.
Although comfortable in her own skin, which has become synonymous with her DBC uniform, Tara still has a few fears come game day in front of those 76,000 roaring fans. “I do get a little anxious when we are dancing in the snow. It can get a little slippery on the field. I have an ongoing fear of being the cheerleader that falls on Thundervision!” she jokes.
I can surely sympathize with that fear of hers, but having only known her briefly, I have no doubt she’d do it with a smile and grace and fans would fall even more in love with the brunette.
Dancing for a living, Tara likes to rock out to pretty much any kind of music, but she does have a few preferences. “Current country hits are always fun to dance in, wearing our chaps and boots! I also love the holiday games when we get to dance to holiday music,” she says. She’s also not afraid to admit she doesn’t care who judges her for jamming out to Justin Bieber.
Along with her all-smiles attitude, Tara says her wit and humor sometimes surprises people, though it shouldn’t. “I am a funny person. I am pretty witty which surprises some people. I give some away fans a run for their money.”
Many think NFL cheerleaders are the pinnacle of high-maintenance, because as fans we usually see them with full hair and makeup and glitter in unimaginable places, but that isn’t the case. Not even close. And Tara is proof. A perfect date night for her? Simply anywhere with hamburgers and Malbec on the menu. It doesn’t even have to be a good Malbec. And live music is a plus.
Tara isn’t just well versed in the Macarena and other popular dance moves we wish we could emulate, she’s wildly knowledgeable on football as well. Her favorite football player growing up was none other than John Elway, former Broncos QB and current Executive Vice President of the team. She realizes there are a ton of misconceptions about NFL cheerleaders out there, but the biggest in her mind is that these women don’t know anything about football. “My teammates are diehard Broncos fans. We are extremely competitive when it comes to fantasy football. We have a DBC league and it can get kinda heated come playoff time!” she says.
Tara’s favorite quote — “You miss all of the shots you don’t take,” –- is pretty applicable to this 2013 Denver Broncos team as they head to MetLife Stadium for their first Super Bowl in 15 years. And I’d say they have a damn good shot at the coveted Vince Lombari trophy against Seattle come Super Bowl Sunday. But if at first they don’t succeed, let Tara’s story serve as their motivation to keep coming back stronger and more determined each year.
It takes a lot for me to admit someone is funnier than me. Seriously, I’ve always taken great pride in being a “self-proclaimed comedian,” but Brie, a third year veteran on the New York Jets Flight Crew pretty much has me beat. There and in many other areas including abdominal muscles, bright white smile, long legs, and her color-coded and highly organized planner. And leg kicks and dance skills, and quite frankly the list goes on further than I’d like to admit.
“I am kind of the team comedian, so I guess I’m pretty funny,” she says plainly. “I love playing pranks on the girls whenever I see an opportunity. I’ve been having a really great season, and I’m becoming known for having an energetic and exciting performance on game day, so that’s cool,” Brie says of her third season on the sidelines and in the locker room. While three seasons may not seem like a whole lot, put it in perspective of the Flight Crew in general, the youngest squad in the NFL, having just finished their seventh season.
“It’s really cool because there are girls that have been here since the beginning, so we get their wisdom. We recently just began alumni cheerleader events, which is awesome to have the women of past teams come back and see how the team has grown, thanks in part to their efforts. I always take a moment and think about how unique it is that I am a part of something so new and fresh. Basically right now we are building the foundations for the future of this team,” she says.
Brie spends her days as a merchandising assistant at an apparel production company in New York City and admits that “the city” has rubbed off on her closet. “I wear a lot of black – I need to start incorporating more color,” the Massachusetts native says.
“I am from Massachusetts, home of the ‘ENEMY,’ New England Patriots. Thanksgiving is tough; I’m just starting to be allowed back for dinner,” she says with a straight face as she tells me she is converting her family into Jets fans, one-by-one. Then she cracks that bright smile she’s so well known for.
When it comes to being an NFL Cheerleader and the misconceptions that surround the glittery gig, Brie has heard them all. “Besides the obvious that everyone seems to list, I find a lot of people don’t consider us ‘real dancers’ because our field choreography isn’t filled with overly technical dance moves. If you could see all of the talent on the Flight Crew, you would be blown away,” she says simply. “The Flight Crew is unique in the mix of talented girls we get. Being in New York means some of the best dancers in the world come to our auditions. Our team is a mix of traditional cheerleading backgrounds and technically trained dancers, so we have a bit of everything. There are women on our team who have been professional ballerinas, world dance champions, hip hop dancers…the list goes on and on. Seriously, I am in awe of everyone each year during auditions when we perform our solos. Our new Show Team, consisting of 12 of our most elite and technical cheerleaders, actually showcases some of our best dancers in a more traditional dance aspect,” she says of her teammates.
As we talk about her talented teammates and their backgrounds, we get on the topic of nearly the complete opposite. “I may be the clumsiest dancer in the world. The amount of times I trip, fall, and walk into things is insane — I always have a bruise of some sort. In fact, I had a huge egg on my forehead during the last home game against the Saints. I need a padded suit,” she confesses.
Clumsy or not, the 5’5″ brunette is proud to be where she is today, and notes it didn’t come as easy as it did for some of the others. “I actually tried out the year before I made the team and froze up doing the choreography in front of Denise (our director), so it was not my finest moment!” she says. She also met her best friend, Donna Marie, that year at tryouts.
“So, technically I got two great presents. I always refer to meeting her to practice for final auditions as our ‘blind date,’ and it was a match made in heaven!” Brie jokes of her bestie.
Brie has experienced quite a few amazing things during her time with the Flight Crew, but it seems her favorite came
Brie, with the Jets Flight Crew Cheerleaders
this spring in the Cayman Islands when they were shooting their swimsuit calendar (this was Brie’s first time). “The best memory out of it was snorkeling in Little Cayman. First of all, we had no floatation type devices. It was just four of us cheerleaders, Denise, our guides, a snorkel, flippers, and the wide-open sea. Secondly, we swam so far from shore, out to Bloody Bay Wall,” she pauses to confirm whether or not she’s painted the dramatic and scary picture she has hoped to. “It was actually the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. We swam over beautiful coral reef, fish, and even a sea turtle. Then, to top it all off we actually swam over a shark; I am not joking. So not only did I get to experience the world’s best natural aquarium, I got to feel like a daredevil doing it. That’s a win for me!” she says. Oh, and the pictures of her weren’t too shabby either.
Brie is definitely the adventurous type, noting that her perfect date isn’t necessarily a certain spot in the city, as long as you take note of her rule of thumb: “make it interesting and surprise me,” then adds she loves boats, like most women.
Although this season didn’t end quite as they hoped, Brie admits that in time spent cheering at MetLife Stadium, she’s never heard the fans this loud, consistently for each and every home game. “It has been quite a ride, as it always is with the Jets. We just keep cheering hard and hoping for those wins to keep coming to us!”
Brie personally attributes much of the excitement around her current favorite player to watch: Geno Smith. “Everyone is excited to see where he will take us. I can’t help but think how amazing it must be for a rookie, and a guy so young to get the shot at QB and hear a stadium chanting for him — it has to be surreal,” she marvels.
“The best word to describe the crowd at MetLife and Jets fans is L-O-U-D. The stadium has been insane this season in terms of energy. Everyone is on their feet the entire game. It really keeps us going on the sidelines. The Jets have a great game day atmosphere. We start the day with the Player Walk into the stadium — basically the football team and coaching staff arrive and we have a parade of sorts through the parking lots and into the stadium. It’s great because fans get a chance to see their team up close. Then, there are tons of events around the stadium before kickoff for fans to take part in before they head to their seats,” she says.
Although the Jets aren’t Super Bowl bound this year, the Flight Crew is. “Since we are the host city, the Flight Crew will be out and about doing events around the area, and we will be involved in the Super Bowl. I think overall it has made the atmosphere of the city itself more exciting. There is a big countdown clock in Penn Station with the days, hours, and seconds until Super Bowl 2014. It’s New York City; of course we are going to do this big!” she says of her very own host city.
As for her favorite player growing up, it was thanks in part to her sister’s influence. “Growing up I basically copied my sister, and since she liked Emmitt Smith, I did too. She even had a pet hamster named after him. We watched him on Dancing with the Stars, of course,” she gushes of the former HOF running back.
No matter how long she’s been high-stepping on the sidelines, game day nerves are still front and center for Brie. “I get really nervous when we are performing a new routine. I always psych myself out that I’m going to walk the wrong way, or start a wrong routine, but once the music starts, the muscle memory takes over,” she says. Brie also lovingly refers to “muscle memory” as “ninja skills.” Then of course we get off on a tangent about particular ninja skills we’d both prefer to have, having nothing to do with either cheerleading or football.
We talk a lot about the differing lifestyles of New York City and good ole Texas (where I’m based) and how much she listens to music on her commute through the city. Like most of the NFL Cheerleaders I’ve interviewed, Brie too has a plethora of Disney movie songs on her iPod. “This morning I was walking to work and the Hannah Montana theme song came on. I’m not even ashamed to admit that I let it play and rocked out to it while walking along Sixth Avenue,” the drop-dead goofball says. Although she admits that dancing to Latin music or old school rock are her favorites.
J-E-T-S-B-R-I-E
She admits sometimes keeping the Hannah Montana positive vibe isn’t always easy, especially when the season isn’t going your way. “You always want your team to be winning, but we keep the spirit and smiles going for the entire game, regardless. I think the hardest part for a lot of us is to keep a smile instead of yelling when a bad call is made or a play doesn’t go well. A lot of us are actually big football fans, so we find ourselves getting into the game a little too much sometimes, but we enjoy keeping the smiles and energy up for the fans,” she says.
Her guilty pleasure in life, aside from the occasional Breaking Bad marathon on TV, is devouring Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter. “I don’t even put it on anything; I’m a straight from the jar kind of girl,” she laughs. Looking at her body, I can’t help but wonder if it’s fat-free, sugar-free, gluten-free and everything-else-free snack, but then we talk about her hectic schedule and it all makes sense.
Hands-down the hardest part of being an NFL Cheerleader for Brie is the schedule. “I am up every morning between 5:30 and 6, depending how many times I sneak in the snooze button, and I head to my day job. From there I go to the gym and get a quick workout in and then we rehearse later that evening. I get home around midnight. On nights we don’t have an official rehearsal, I usually practice on my own with some of the girls because you can’t show up to practice unprepared. Rehearsal is our time to learn new material and prep for game day, so you have to make sure you stay on top of your choreography. I also love doing appearances around the community, so I try to work those in whenever my schedule can allow. People don’t realize the commitment this takes outside the dance studio or field. It’s a part time job with full time obligations. Obviously, with a schedule this hectic, I have to stay really organized. I would be lost without my planner, to-do lists, and massive amounts of coffee!” she confesses of her seemingly cute but nerdy side.
At least for Brie, the seasons just seem to keep getting better. Aside from the Cayman calendar trip this year, Brie also got to appear on Good Morning America with a few of the other girls and got to attend Jets Training Camp in Cortland. “I think I just feel blessed to have made it back for a third season. I’ve come a long way and I have this team, Denise, and my teammates to thank for that. They always keep me reaching to be the best I can be,” Brie says of her time with the Flight Crew. And she’s also thankful for every bump and bruise, the literal kind, she’s received along the way.
[Contest] The Super Bowl isn’t the only big “Bowl” on Sunday – there’s also Puppy Bowl VIII on Animal Planet. It’s no secret dogs LOVE football (at least my 23lb teacup Chihuahua, Denali does, pictured here trying to fit in an actual teacup AND proving to the world not all dogs hate the Philadelphia Eagles!), so now YOUR DOG can win something too.
One lucky pooch will win an awesome prize pack from Natural Pawz ($50 value).
Natural Pawz is not your typical pet store, and lets hope the Broncos vs Seahawks matchup isn’t your typical football game.
[Natural Pawz is located all throughout Houston, but they have been nice enough to extend this contest outside of Houston and will ship to the winner!]
Again, here is the link to the contest on the FB page, where you must enter. If you don’t have FB, you can leave a comment on this post telling us who your dog roots for!
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Denali.jpg720478Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-01-27 10:00:412014-01-26 22:34:53Natural Pawz Contest for the Dog Loving Football Fans
This video started it all. This two minute and 10 second promo video is what catapulted what is now titled Battioke into the nation, extending far beyond the 305 area code and Miami Heat crazed fans. All for good reason, and even better cause.
NBA fans and do-gooders aside, this off-pitch singing soiree has reached even the White House. “It was surreal to be honest with you,” says Miami Heat forward Shane Battier. ”We always knew Battioke was a fun event. We got a lot of coverage around the country, but to reach the Office of the White House, part of the national consciousness, it’s pretty amazing,” President Obama even dispensed lyrical advice, warning the Heat at their White House visit earlier this month to “leave Al Green to the pros,” as quoted in a recent Huffington Post article.
“It’s awesome, it’s such a great cause. The kids we send to school are worth the effort and the energy to put this event together,” Battier says of the extreme popularity the event has gained most recently. Scheduled to take place January 27th at The Fillmore Miami Beach, this isn’t Battier’s first rodeo with karaoke. I first met Shane at a local bar in Houston when he was with the Houston Rockets. Christian’s Tailgate, located in Houston’s popular nightlife district of Midtown, was Battier’s regular place to rock out to karaoke.
What was once called Clutch City Karaoke while in Houston, quickly became Battioke once Shane and his wife Heidi restarted the star-studded charity event in Miami. “We did it one year (in Houston) and it was a fantastic event and the next year I got traded to Memphis so I couldn’t hold the event. Someone said ‘You should call it Battioke’ and I said that does have a better ring to it, so when I moved to Miami we changed the name,” Battier explains.
“It’s something my wife and I always enjoyed doing. Neither one of us can sing,” Battier says of the hobby turned charity event. “We have a professional karaoke setup at our house, we get a big group of people and that’s what we end up doing. I have over 20k songs. It’s just fun.”
The twelve-year NBA veteran probably shoots better threes than he does belting out the tunes, but it’s all in good fun, he says. “Karaoke isn’t about your voice, it’s about your confidence and having fun. That’s why Battioke is a really fun event, people cutting lose and just having fun.”
The Miami Heat are no stranger to having fun. “I don’t know if you know this or not, but my teammates are not shy. They are not wallflowers. When it all came together it was comical,” Battier says of his teammates’ enthusiasm at shooting the viral promo as well as planning for the big event on the 27th.
As for who he’s most looking forward to seeing on stage at this year’s annual event, Battier just laughs. “Every year Dwyane Wade, Lebron and Chris Bosh bring it. Chris Bosh has a really underrated sense of humor; he won Battioke last year with an unbelievable Barry White’esque version of ‘My First, My Last, My Everything.’ If Barry White were a Vegas lounge singer…” he trails off in laughter.
But it seems last year’s title holder may have some stiff competition. “The dark horse this year is Greg Oden, big Greg Oden. He loves to karaoke, so we’re going to see what he has this year,” Battier says.
As for the promo video we can’t stop watching, Battier had some help on that. “I worked with the Miami Heat video crew essentially – we had meetings and we really challenged the script writer. We had the idea of doing a behind-the-look scenes of what it takes to prepare for Battioke – all the work and the time and effort that goes into getting ready for one single night of the year. That was sort of our theme, that’s why I was in the powder blue tux in the weight room, preparing myself mentally – I have the world’s greatest teammates who are down for anything – they were fantastic as well.”
As funny as the video is, people may have forgotten there is a very noble cause behind all the out-of-tune singing and afro wigs: The Battier Take Charge Foundation. The annual karaoke event benefits Shane and Heidi Battier’s charity, whose mission is to send deserving kids to college.
“Both my wife and I think college is such a transformative time, you learn so much about yourself. It’s not necessarily the academia part – you learn to be your own person, you learn to take charge of who you are while in college. Everyone should be able to experience college. There are numerous kids out there who want to go to college and get a degree but don’t have the means,” Battier says of their mission. Last year the event raised over $150,000, and this year they’re hoping to raise $300-400k, at least doubling it.
Last time we spoke, we talked about Battier’s place as the 7th smartest man in sports (according to Sporting News), which he attributes a lot to his college days at Duke, but far beyond that as well. “I’m not the smartest guy — I think I have really good awareness, I work really hard and I listen. I try to be thoughtful. Whether it’s your family life or a
More Battioke Shenanigans
basketball career, that thoughtfulness and awareness can make you better,” Battier says. A man who talks the talk and walks the walk behind the words of wisdom on his Twitter bio, which reads: Trying to do well and do good.
Miami Heat owner Micky Arison will also be in attendance at this year’s Battioke. “Micky has been a great supporter of Battioke the last three years and we’ve yet to get him to sing, but you never know this could be the year…” Battier says.
I did get Battier to tell me what song he’d want Arison to sing, if he somehow found his way on stage: Baby Got Back.
“It’d be the most organic moment, at Battioke ever, maybe the most important, if Micky got up and sang Baby Got Back,” Battier laughs just picturing such an image.
Battier is just as vocal about his adoration for karaoke as for his love of Bud Light, so I couldn’t resist finding out if it was still his favorite beer. “Yep, the people in St. Louis that work for Anheuser Busch do a fantastic job always, and I’m appreciative of their efforts and will always be a proud supporter of Bud Light and the family of Anheuser Busch products.”
As the Huffington Post put it, “you know you want the honor of seeing the sports world’s next viral YouTube happen live,” so get your tickets today at Battioke.com for $150.
“It will be a special night and it may change your life forever. Tickets are limited, so if you’re planning on going, I’d buy them today,” Battier closes.
Well Mr. Battier, after yet another successful charity event, you surely deserve an ice cold one. Maybe two.
Follow Shane and Heidi’s Battioke event and charity on Twitter: @shanetakecharge
This article was first seen on CBS Man Cave Daily on the sport’s column of The Blonde Side. Click here to see the original version.
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There’s this thing about being first at something. You’re considered the cream of the crop. The veterans. You set the bar. Everyone imitates you. When it comes to NFL cheerleaders, the First Ladies of Football, also known as the Washington Redskins cheerleaders are those beautiful bar-setters, and have been for 51 years, the longest extant cheerleading team in the NFL.
Charo is just one of the beautiful women who has been lucky enough to don perhaps the most coveted uniform in all of cheerleading in over half a century. A tax accountant by trade, Charo, now in her third season, definitely worked her way onto the sidelines little by little. When she first tried out, while still at the University of Maryland (and on the dance team no less), she didn’t even make in past the second round. A few years later, she tried out again and this time made the team as an “alternate.”
“Being an alternate was definitely a humbling experience, but I’ve always believed that every woman has a different experience and journey on this team, and I guess it worked out well because I just completed this season as one of the co-captains!” she exclaims.
It’s no secret the Washington Redskins finished off the 2013 season with a bit of an eyesore of a record at 3-13 (last in their division) and quite a bit of drama, and Charo admits it does make their job more difficult on the sidelines, and at times her “maniacal side” does come shining through. “When the Redskins are down, or aren’t playing as well as we know they can, it definitely becomes tougher to keep the smiles going. I think this is mostly because no one wants to be the person who, right after the opposing team scores, has to face the fans and continue to smile and cheer like that didn’t obviously just suck. Personally, I get very involved with what’s happening on the field, but thankfully, when plays are going on, we are facing the field and the fans don’t see this slightly maniacal side of me. But like any job, it’s our duty to keep that air of professionalism and continue to cheer on our Skins, regardless of the outcome. Rain or shine (or hail or snow), win or lose, we always support our team,” she says optimistically.
“Although I was born on a U.S. Air Force base in Okinawa, Japan, I was raised in the much less exotic town of Columbia, Maryland,” the 5’5″ brunette says of her hometown.
When it comes to her favorite current player, Charo has a bit of a different take than most of the other women we’ve talked to. “People always choose the offensive players when asked who their favorite players are. It’s true, I love
The First Ladies of Football in Action
watching younger playmakers like Alfred Morris and Pierre Garçon pick up those extra yards or complete the pass and convert the third down. But my favorite player to watch right now is, and always has been, London Fletcher. It’s cool to watch defensive players continue to show resilience in times of adversity (when they held the Chargers THRICE at first-and-1 to force overtime!), and Fletcher has been a steadfast force both on and off the field. It was a sad day to see him announce his retirement this year,” she says.
Having grown up just a few hours from RFK Stadium (the old Redskins home), I’m beyond familiar with their gameday atmosphere and crazed fans. But in Charo’s words, it looks a little something like this: “FedEx Field (or Redskins Stadium) is the largest stadium in the NFL in terms of regular capacity — 85,000 seats [Editor’s note: Jerry’s World can hold up to 100,000 by use of temporary seating]. Our gargantuan stadium lends itself to accommodating some of the most loyal fans in the nation. Our franchise is 81 years old, has won five NFL Championships (including three Super Bowls), and is one of the maybe two NFL teams to have an official marching band. Also, our fight song, Hail to the Redskins, is one of the oldest fight songs in the NFL. The Redskins organization is rich with tradition and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the 2010, 2012, and 2013 Washington Redskins cheerleaders teams,” she boasts with a smile.And it seems you can’t really talk about the history of the Washington Redskins without also bringing up the ill-named “America’s Team.”
“Although our fans loyally and almost equally detest any team in the NFC East, our biggest rival is easily the Dallas Cowboys,” she says. “I presume this predates us as Americans to the classic ‘Cowboys vs. Indians’ dilemma. Last year, when we were the NFC East Champs, we played the Cowboys in the final game of the regular season and it determined eligibility to go to playoffs. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the stadium that loud and alive. Every season ticket holder is at FedEx Field for the Dallas game in addition to the rest of the stadium being completely sold out. The roar is deafening, especially when Dallas is on offense; the energy is electric and brings you up, makes you want to dance harder and stronger, smile bigger because you’re thinking, ‘Wow, this is what football and fandom is really all about.’ “
We take a few moments to bond over our sovereign loathing of the Cowboys and how they really aren’t America’s Team. Not even close actually. I ask her what she was doing right before she sat down to do this interview. “Well actually, I had just rolled out of bed and was drinking my coffee. I was wearing a white tank top and…well yes, just a white tank top.”
While we talk, laugh up a storm, crack jokes and challenge each other’s sarcasm levels, Charo makes a shocking and almost unbelievable admission. “Something that people may be surprised to know is that I am a complete nerd and I used to be irrationally shy. I literally didn’t know how to speak to anyone…especially the opposite sex. My childhood and adolescence consisted of dancing six days a week for six hours a day, so my social life was limited. Now, I am very high-energy and sometimes way too forward and sarcastic to the point that people don’t know I’m joking. And I’m a total nerd in that I love math, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and reading. I could happily read a book a day. Crossword puzzles are my jam,” she jokes with a sincere undercurrent.
Photo by Andrew Markowitz
Charo’s collegiate experience at University of Maryland wasn’t all parts nerd. She managed to mix in some fun times and “memorable moments” she didn’t quite spill the beans on. “I was an accounting major in the Robert H. Smith School of Business at UMD — as reputable as the school is, and even though I had quite a few memorable and impressive professors, no one in her right mind ever cites the first-class education as her favorite thing about college. One of my favorite things about the University of Maryland was the ‘true college experience.’ I was able to get involved at the campus gym, in my sorority, and with the dance team insofar that I broadened my horizons through different people and experiences. Many of my favorite memories at UMD took place at the intersection of Route 1 and Knox Avenue…even though it was a wild four-year ride, I managed to maintain a 3.6 GPA and I have absolutely no regrets.”
Like pretty much every NFL cheerleader, Charo does have a bout of nerves hit her just before gametime each and every week. “I’ve been dancing my whole life, so the stage – regardless of the scale and scope of it – has been my friend and favorite place for as long as I can remember. I always get butterflies about one minute before I’m about to walk out – which I attempt to quell by getting on all fours and doing planks. I’ve heard this centers you but it could be complete bologna, but the second I’m out there dancing all I feel is confidence and ease,” she says. (My apologies, I could not capture a photo of Charo on all fours showing me her game time ritual for you to see in all its glory.)
And while she used to have trouble talking to the opposite sex, some things have changed. She says her perfect date spot is anywhere, absolutely anywhere outdoors. “Seriously, give me good weather and the great outdoors and I’ll probably fall in love with you…nine out of ten times.”
Charo claims she likes to dance to any kind of music, even country, but prefers “sharp and with a lot of syncopated, hard-hitting accents.” (All words I’ve never really heard of.) “I’m really loving electronic/house although I’m definitely not a self-proclaimed househead,” she says, “but honestly, who doesn’t love when the beat drops?” Though not ideal dance material, she says the most embarrassing thing on her iPod is something like B*Witched or 98 Degrees, saying she never deletes anything. “And now that I’m saying this aloud I realize just how terrible it is. Wow.”
For workouts beyond the team mandated ones, Charo has recently gotten into Bikram Yoga. “I used to despise yoga, but there is something about sweat dripping in my eyes, my limbs being too slippery to hold, and feeling like I’m going to die that keeps me coming back for more,” she says.Having been around the block, also known as the league, for 51 years, the First Ladies of Football have a lot to be proud of. “Our team has been on 44 international tours to entertain U.S. Military men & women – this is one of our proudest accomplishments,” says coach/director, Stephanie Jojokian.
As for Charo, she admits sifting through all of her favorite moments on the team would probably take an eternity. “I
Charo Reppin’ the Swimsuit Calendar
can say, however, that one of my favorite experiences thus far as a Washington Redskins cheerleader is going on a Military Appreciation Tour to the Middle East in September 2012. With three other teammates and four NFL alumni, we visited eight bases, four countries, and put on eight shows over the course of 12 days. Sleep when you’re dead. One of my very favorite American moments of this tour was when a rookie fighter pilot began singing ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’ from the movie Top Gun to me on one knee in front of an entire base. Beyond the performing and supporting our team and fans back in DC, we are so lucky to be able to travel the world supporting America’s heroes – the troops who make sacrifices for our country’s freedom every single day. I would have never been able to grasp the comprehensiveness of their service until I saw it firsthand overseas and I am forever grateful,” she says with extreme and genuine pride.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, all these women I’ve interviewed for the NFL Cheer series are go-getters. They lead busier lives than the Kardashians try to pretend they do for sake of making “real TV.”
For instance, here is what a typical day looks like for Charo:
Waking up early (“or as early as my snooze button allows”) and going to work. This is the typical “9-to-5″ job where I rack my brain all day preparing and reviewing taxes and Excel spreadsheets. A day at work sometimes allows for a workout at the gym in my office building (2-3 times per week), where I’ll run, take yoga, lift, or box. After work, I head to the stadium for practice; DMV traffic is quite conducive to going over choreography in my head in the car en route (albeit also dangerous). I arrive at the stadium at about 6pm, we practice before practice, and then practice begins. Practice usually consists of a warmup, kickline, across the floor where we work on technical skills, then going over the dances we will be performing at the next home game/show/etc. Once per week, we also have a workout after practice, and then finally I go home for the night – usually returning between 11pm and midnight.
Oh, and then she does it all over again the very next day. And the next. I need about four Red Bulls (sugar free of course) just to listen to her tell me about her average day.
Even with a schedule like that, there are still people out there who think these girls are much less ambitious than they really are. “The biggest misconception about NFL cheerleaders is that we are all airhead, fake-bodied bimbos with no depth or outside career. The truth is, in spite of the immense time commitment required, being an NFL cheerleader IS our ‘outside career.’ So many of us are well-educated, driven, passionate women who choose to contribute so much of our own time and effort into NFL cheerleading because it’s something we love,” Charo counters to the nay-sayers.
“And no, we don’t date the players.”
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (& Win!)
Some of her guilty pleasures (outside of wanting to scream at refs for bad calls) include Young Adult fiction, tons of sugar (or Splenda as she elaborates) in my coffee, cheese, and The Bachelor/Bachelorette, which she says blame should be laid upon her roommates. Where she finds time to read, watch TV or even drink coffee for that matter is completely lost upon me.
“The most difficult thing in being an NFL cheerleader is, without a doubt, the life balance. Between work, relationships, family, Redskins, and just plain life, I believe I am constantly being tested in managing priorities, making others happy, and most importantly, finding what makes me happy. Cheering for the Redskins doesn’t come without sacrifice in other aspects of my life, but I’m learning to trust and live in the ‘now’ and take one day at a time,” she says.
I’ve learned throughout this series, thanks to women like Charo, that NFL cheerleaders are a different breed. Not just in their work ethic and their exuberance and passion for something outside of themselves, but for their pursuit to make the world a better place – on NFL sidelines and beyond, including visits to our country’s heroes. The above characteristics describe every team and every woman I’ve interviewed, but they are still ultimately unique in such a tangible way.
“One of the aspects that differentiates us from other teams is our style. We have such a wide range of choreography and music, from hip-hop to classic rock and everything in between, but also such a distinct, sexy style across the board. Additionally, I imagine that when most people envision a group of 40 women together day in and day out, the outcome is something reserved for a reality TV show, where drama and conflict is inevitable or even encouraged. Another authentic element of my team is the true bond of sisterhood. There is something to be said for having the largest (and first) Cheerleader Alumni Association in the NFL. We truly support each other both inside and outside of practice, in endeavors outside of Redskins, and in any obstacle or success that life throws at us. When I look back at my years on the team, I probably won’t remember that one touchdown that that one player scored that one game – I’ll remember with whom I was jumping up and down on the sidelines. These women are lifelong friends,” Charo says.
If you want to join the lovely Charo and all the other gorgeous and talented First Ladies of Football (sans reality TV drama of course), 2014 tryouts are just around the corner – March 29th. Click here for more details including prep tips.
You can also follow Charo on Twitter: @charobishop and well as the entire team: @1stLadiesofFB and check them out on FB.
This article originally ran on CBS Man Cave Daily under The Blonde Side’s sports column. Click here to see the original article.
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Let me first start with full disclosure: I probably don’t need a sports bra, at least not a heavy duty like this one. While I do wear a size C (or Medium in this fit), my “girls” don’t really move up and down thanks to my beloved plastic surgeon, but I never go on a run without a sports bra – for multiple reasons including comfort and fear of nipping out and being super awkward in public if I have to run errands after a long run.
This ultra-light high-to-max support was probably more than I needed, but I run with so many girls who often have to double-up sports bras on long runs. That thought is beyond crazy to me, but I am fairly certain this is the sports bra for you if you’re one of those double-up coverage seeking gals.
If you are a runner, especially of long distances (get it – the MARATHON SPORTS BRA), you’ll want to check this bra out. It’s all the essential components to any piece of workout gear: no chafe, no bulk. Don’t let your sports bra tell you when your run is over due to chafing, stop when your legs (or your mind) tell you to. It is a faster drying bra thanks to Vapor Technology, helping you dry faster as your body heat rises. All good things in my runner’s book.
The thing I love most about this sports bra is that it has adjustable straps to give you a truly custom fit. Most things in life are not one-size fit all, nor should your sports bra be. Overall, this bra was a bit more strength than I needed, but I will definitely wear it for my longer runs thanks to the no chafing and no bulging, and I highly recommend this for other runners!