Daily Record

Scots girls too old, fat or lazy to be cheerleade­rs

Former Claymores chief slammed for sexist rant

- BY RORY CASSIDY

AN AMERICAN football boss has been slammed for claiming Scots women were too old, fat or lazy to be cheerleade­rs.

Michael Keller, who was general manager of the nowdefunct Scottish Claymores team in the mid-90s, posted his sexist comments online – sparking a furious response.

Speaking about his role selecting cheerleade­rs to back his squad, he claimed many Scots “lassies” weree too “homely” for the job – andd said it was “exhausting” findinging 30 girls who made the cut.

He also blasted would-uld-be cheerleade­rs for refusing to get breast enlargemen­ts.

But former Claymoresm­ores cheerleade­rs hit backk last night, insisting that Keller’seller’s comments were “beyondyond insulting” and “sexist”.

Another told Kellerr he “should have gone to Specsavers” if he couldn’tt appreciate the talents off the Scots cheerleade­rs.

Keller sparked the roww when he responded to a picture of the 90s Claymoresm­ores

Cheerleadi­ng Squad on the Scottish Claymores Forever Facebook Fan Group.

He wrote: “It still exhausts me to think of the challenge we had to select pretty, talented cheerleade­rs.

“Scotland is not a large nation. Roughly 2.5million women. Throw out the top 3rd – too old. Throw out the bottom 3rd – too young.

“One has to explore only 750,000 possibles.

“Obviously, one third are hopelessly homely. One third are fat and 749,950 couldn’couldn’tt be bothered. The 50 Scottish women left became Claymore Cheerleade­rs.”

The post said there were “strict qualificat­ions for the girls”, adding: “Our potential number of girls dropped even further when some wouldn’t or couldn’t afford breast implants.

“The 25-30 girls left made the horny Scottish men proud and allowed our attendance to grow substantia­lly. “Yes… those were happy days. Those girls cheered the team on to a league championsh­ip.” TThh e commecomme n t s attributed to the 70-year-old, w h o managed the

Claymores from 1995 to 1996, were blasted by former cheerleade­rs and one of Keller’s successors.

Steve Liv i n g st o n e , Claymores general manager when the club disbanded in 2004, slammed Keller for his “dated, disrespect­ful and extremely prejudiced view of women”.

Livingston­e described the Claymores Cheerleade­rs as “inte l l i gent, talented, glamorous glam and beautiful young women”, adding: “Your comments comm are shameful, disgracefu­l disgra and misogynist­ic.

“YoYou should think about removing remo your post and making maki a full apology immediatel­y. imme Your comments are wwrong, inaccurate, insulting ins and frankly disgusting.” d

Livingston­e added: “As well w you know, the S Sc c o t t i sh Cl aymores Cheerleade­rs Cheer went through a thoroughly tho profession­al selection s process with hundreds h of young women wome applying each year. “FinalistsF­in were selected not only on their appearance, but also on athleticis­m, intelligen­ce, talent, humour, positive demeanour, character, work ethic and dedication to what we were trying to achieve for the NFL in Scotland.

“At no time during my time with the club was it ever suggested to any of our cheerleade­rs that they should consider any form of cosmetic augmentati­on.”

Former cheerleade­r Jacalyn McCrae Moffat also hit out at the claims.

She said: “As a Scottish Claymores Cheerleade­r from 1996, I can say from the turnout of absolutely stunning and amazing Scottish women at tryouts that perhaps a trip to Specsavers and some inward insight, along with a reality check on extreme chauvinist, misogynist­ic views thrown in for good measure, might be a start?”

Ex-Claymores Cheerleade­r Claire Banks told Keller online: “I sure hope your wife/ girlfriend/sister/daughters/ female friends would be proud of your post.”

Keller has been approached for comment.

 ??  ?? TALENTED The Claymores Cheerleade­rs
TALENTED The Claymores Cheerleade­rs
 ??  ?? INSULT Keller posted online
INSULT Keller posted online

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