Denver Broncos cheerleader Ann-Marie Muscarello is giving NFL fans a glimpse into the demanding reality behind the glamour of professional football.
The veteran cheerleader recently shared a social media post showing the striking contrast between her Sundays on the sidelines and her Mondays working as an orthopedic nurse.
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“Sunday mornings vs. Monday mornings look a little different,” Muscarello wrote on Instagram, alongside images highlighting her two very different careers.
The post quickly attracted attention, with fans praising her work ethic while also questioning why NFL cheerleaders often need another job to make ends meet.
Many commenters described Muscarello as inspiring and impressive, particularly because she manages the physical demands of professional cheerleading while working in healthcare during the week.
Others focused on the financial side of the situation, arguing that women who dedicate their time to NFL franchises deserve substantially better compensation.
Muscarello’s circumstances aren’t unusual. Professional cheerleaders across the NFL have frequently balanced practices, games, appearances and promotional commitments with full-time careers, education or other responsibilities.
Cheerleading is a passion and a dream for many rather than a job capable of providing a primary income.
That reality has kept questions about NFL cheerleader pay alive for years. In 2014, a New York Jets cheerleader filed a lawsuit alleging she was paid just $3.77 per hour. A year later, an Associated Press investigation reported that some NFL cheerleaders were earning less than fast-food workers.
The issue has received renewed attention in recent years, particularly following the arrival of Netflix’s “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” in 2024.
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The documentary series offered viewers an inside look at the intense audition process, training, rehearsals and performances required of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. It also showed members balancing their NFL ambitions with school, professional careers and personal responsibilities.
The increased visibility helped fuel further conversations about compensation. In 2025, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders secured a reported 400% pay increase, marking a major development in the long-running fight for better wages.
The change has also demonstrated how compensation can vary between NFL franchises. Reports following the increase indicated that veteran Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders could earn around $75 per hour under the new pay structure, depending on their assignments and schedules.
Still, a significant issue remains as cheerleaders are generally hired by individual NFL franchises rather than the league itself. That means teams have considerable control over their compensation and working arrangements, making league-wide changes more complicated.
Muscarello’s viral “double life” has become a reminder that the women performing under the stadium lights often have demanding careers away from football, too.
As the 2026 NFL season gets underway, fans are increasingly asking whether those contributions are being valued fairly.