Texans Cheerleaders: From the sidelines to the community
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- They pump up the crowd with their cheers and big smiles but beyond the sidelines, the Houston Texans Cheerleaders give back to the community in a big way.
Known to many as the HTC, the Texans cheerleaders put aside their pom poms several times a year to bring cheer to the Bayou City.
For some who don't know, being a Texans cheerleader is not a full-time job. In fact, some of the women have other jobs, are students and/or mothers.
Before the start of each football season, the cheerleaders are seen out and about visiting children and interacting with people they don't usually get to meet.
"One of my favorite aspects of being an HTC is the opportunity to connect with our community. We are blessed to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures who contribute to the amazing diversity the city of Houston offers," HTC Lauren said.
The cheerleaders are required each year to do 50 appearances. Most recently, the women were at Texas Children's Hospital, where they hosted a mini junior cheer camp with some of the patients.
"We're here to put smiles on their faces, but what they don't realize is that they put smiles on ours. It's just incredible being here with the kids," HTC Morgan said.
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Fans get a chance to meet them in a different element and setting, which gives them an opportunity to get to know the cheerleaders beyond seeing them on TV or at Texans games.
"They're nice and open to talk about whatever with everyone here," one of the Texas Children's Hospital patients said.
The cheerleaders attend several other community events like Candlelighters Fun Walk, MS Walk and Special Olympics.
It's an honor that's rare for some people, and the cheerleaders soak up every single minute of time they get in the community.
"I have had the honor to meet fellow Houstonians all over town at various walks and runs, community gatherings, volunteer days, hospitals, schools, and sometimes we even pop up at your local grocery store. Some of the most special moments have been shared with the kiddos, and it's an incredible feeling to know that my teammates and I have the honor of being role models for a lot of them," Morgan said.
SEE ALSO: Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles to become honorary Texans Cheerleader
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