ESPN NFL features reporter Michelle Beisner-Buck has a Monday Night Countdown (6 p.m. ET, ESPN2) pregame story about Denver Broncos cheerleader Gabby Windey.
In addition to cheering, Windey works as a nurse in Colorado and is pursuing a master’s degree. The feature provides a glimpse into a typical, busy week for Windey – cheering, working, studying, practicing, volunteering and more.
Telling this story is especially personal and meaningful to Beisner-Buck, who is a former captain of the Broncos cheerleading squad.
“I was an NFL cheerleader for the Broncos from 1997-2002, and I wanted to showcase what an incredibly fair and empowering journey this can be for young women. It certainly was for me,” said Beisner-Buck.
“From their looks to their intelligence, these women can be perceived a certain way. Hopefully, this feature will help shatter some of the misconceptions and stereotypes that follow NFL cheerleaders.”
Watch an excerpt of the feature in the video below and watch the Chiefs at Broncos (8:15) tonight on ESPN.
Bill Hofheimer contributed to this post.
In addition to reporting NFL features for ESPN, Beisner-Buck and her husband, Fox Sports’ Joe Buck, welcomed twins Wyatt and Blake to their family this offseason.
“Life has gotten a whole lot more interesting,” admits Beisner-Buck, now a mother to five-month-old boys. “I was always planning to go back to work, but I also wasn’t sure how I was going to feel once I did. It’s hard to be away. It aches and tugs at my heart, but I am proud to be a working mother. I am proud to continue working and evolving in my career – a career I have worked extremely hard for.”
She adds: “Life has new meaning now. Before, I was doing it for myself. Now, thank God, I get to do everything in my life for these miraculous blessings.”
