Former ETSU cheerleader Kimberly Sams agrees to become Tennessee Raptors’ cheerleader
KINGSPORT — Former East Tennessee State University cheerleader Kimberly Sams, who was dismissed last week from the schools’ cheerleading team because she had taken a job as a waitress at Hooters Restaurant, will be given a chance to continue her cheerleading career as a member of the Jammin’ Raptor Girls of the Tennessee Raptors’ professional football team.
Raptors owner Randy Ferrell confirmed on Sunday that he had talked to Sams and that Sams had “very enthusiastically” agreed to join the Raptors, who will begin their third season of operation with a team in the Tri-Cities next August.
“Members of the coaching staff went to Hooters after a team workout and I recalled the story, so we asked about her,” said Ferrell on Sunday. “I asked how I could contact her and they said ’she’s right over there, if you’d like to talk with her.’ We did and she very enthusiastically said she would love to become a member of our squad. She loves to cheerlead and she absolutely loves football.”
The Jammin’ Raptor Girls Cheer and Dance Team will perform at the Raptors’ games which are played within the Alliance Football League, which the Raptors have been part of the last two years in Greeneville. In late 2005, the Raptors were awarded the rights to the Tri-cities region by the AFL, and subsequently re-branded the team to the Tennessee Raptors. The Raptors will be playing their games in the Tri-Cities this Fall and are currently exploring stadium options.
Games begin next August, “but our Jammin’ Raptor Girls will be doing many things before the season begins,” said Ferrell, who has formed a partnership with Jammin’92.3 and 103.9 to build and promote the team. One of the plans is to have the Jammin’ Raptor Girls be part of a Raptor Girls Swimsuit Calendar for 2006.
Since her dismissal from the ETSU squad, Sams has received nationwide publicity and is reportedly being sought to appear on a number shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Good Morning America.
For more information on the Jammin’ Raptor Girls go to www.tennesseeraptors.com and visit the cheerleaders section.
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