Lenz, a five-year veteran, alleges that the team did not extend an invitation to her because she is retiring at season's end.
From ABC News:
"I wouldn't even have reached out and let fans know if I didn't think it was clearly wrong," Lenz told ABCNews.com. "I'm just devastated by the whole situation. This was very unexpected… I didn't even think there would be a chance of me not going with being a five-year veteran."
Lenz began cheering for the Ravens when she was a freshman in college at 18. After she finished school and found a full time marketing job, she found it difficult to continue to fit cheering into her schedule and announced her retirement earlier this month.
Although she retired at the end of the regular season, Lenz believes her time on the squad this year and as a veteran, entitles her to a spot on the field at the Super Bowl. She accuses the Ravens of not allowing her to cheer in retaliation for quitting.
"They've been really hard on me this year since I told them I was leaving," Lenz said. She received an email last week with the names of the 32 cheerleaders who would join the team in New Orleans. "I was the only three-plus year veteran that [is] not going. I immediately thought it was a mistake."
Fans have since come to her aide by creating an online petition to let the 23-year old cheer in the biggest football game of her professional career.
A team spokesperson stated that the NFL rules only allowed them to bring 32 of their 60-member cheerleading squad. Obviously, Lenz was not one of those selected.
That's what 5 years of loyaly buys you, nothing!
ReplyDeletethank you
DeleteShe should have snarled some people, then she could have gone.
ReplyDeleteI think you meant cheer in the biggest game of "her" career.
ReplyDeleteLol, usually when you announce you're leaving a job or organization, they phase you out. Next job make sure you wait till the season is over
ReplyDeleteThere is time to correct this Ravens....HURRY!!!
ReplyDeleteShe should be asked . Ray lewis is going to the super bowl and he is retiring . It is not fair.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement totally. Bill
DeleteYES,IF SHE HAS TO MISS THE GAME,BECAUSE SHE IS RETIRING,THEN RAY LEWIS SHOULD ALSO MISS THE GAME,BECUSE HE IS RETIRING.
DeleteWhat a bunch of crap! She should be allowed to go for her loyalty to the team and the NFL. I'm not a Ravens fan or 49er fan, but a fan of the game. The cheerleaders for ALL the teams do a great job and put in alot of time and effort. Who's going to count the personnel the Ravens bring to the game? And why does the NFL put a limit on the number of cheerleaders you can bring to the Super Bowl? They're not paying the team any money to bring people to the game! Sneak her in and let her cheer for at least 1/2 the game.
ReplyDeleteShe can watch the game with me. I'm not going in person either.
ReplyDeleteCompanys always demand loyalty, but think nothing of screwing you first chance if it works for them. I've seen it so many times. Sad what this country is coming to. She should get to go and should have been asked first with 5 years experience.
ReplyDeleteBeings that Ray Lewis is also retiring after this season he to should not be able to attend the superbowl.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for this young lady and I do believe she should be able to go. As for your comment about Ray Lewis not playing because he announced his retirement? I am sure if you think about it , it was a pretty dumb comment....Not trying to start a debate but Ray Lewis has spent the last 15 or 16 seasons playing in the NFL. You can NOT COMPARE five years of Cheerleading with a player whom is destined for the Football Hall of Fame. PS, I am not a Ray Lewis fan Either.... Just making a point that you overlooked before making your comment. Have a good day.....
DeleteIf the Ravens were only allowed to bring 32 there would be 21 players in the same boat
DeleteThe number of years do not matter. The young lady served with distinction for several. The situation is not merely comparable, it's parallel. Exactly the same, just terribly mishandled by the Ravens.
DeleteAll 60 should get to experience the super bowl if they cheered all year, thats not fair. Maybe they could do half a game so they all get a chance.
ReplyDeleteThis type of treatment by a big company is no surprise in this country anymore. She did what is proper by giving a notice for retiring, but they say hit the road. Because they just think your so easy to replace. More money and power they think than how to say thank you properly for the 5 years.
ReplyDeleteI feel her pain. She's done a lot of hard work and dedication and I'm sure missed a lot of personal times for the sake of the team. and gets screwed over for 'doing the right thing'...giving them due notice.
DeleteShame on the Ravens.
Oh, yeah, did I mention I got screwed over by my company after 30 years, and wouldn't take the 'package'
why did Denver lose? No way with a lead that late should a reviver get behind a safety. So we got to put up with Ray Lewis, who a lot felt got away light on that murder case.? but I can see why their are limits on how many are allowed on the field.
DeleteHey Courtney, you can come to my house to watch the game anytime.
ReplyDeleteiIf you read her own statement it says she retired at the end of the regular season not retiring at the end of the after the season is complete.She quit before probably two of the coldest games of the season in the coldest month of the season so I say she stays home. And if she does get to go who should she replace since the NFL only permits 32 cheerleaders to go. The decision is not for the ravens to decide. I know I would be pissed if I had to cheer in freezing weather @ Denver and @New England and someone who retired to early took my spot. Should of stayed till the entire season ended not just the regular season.
ReplyDeleteYou are so stupid to say such a comment. Ray Lewis is retiring and he gets to go. She gave 5 years of her life to this team what did you give?
DeleteGood Catch, She didn't attend the 2 playoff games and now she wants to go to the Super Bowl. Sorry, you retired. If you had cheered the playoff games I would be on your side.
DeleteEver been to an NFL game? Visiting teams don't bring their cheerleaders. This isn't high school where both teams' bands and cheerleaders get the opportunity to perform. Of course, the Super Bowl is different and both teams can bring them. I'm sure that if she complains enough, one of the TV networks will hire her to be a special correspondent or some other nonsense. Hot chicks always get what they want because some horny dude will help them.
DeleteI'm a Raiders fan,so I haven't been to a playoff game in a while. I stand corrected about cheerleaders cheering on the road, but on the first part about quitting before the entire season has ended, I still think the same about that. If you quit too early and then 3 weeks later are like "Holy sh#%, they actually made it to the Super Bowl. Better go get my hair and nails done cause we going to the big game." Not this time sweetie.
DeleteThis is amazing! I think some of these nuts are serious! Really!! I'm not joking!!!
DeleteAnother reason why employees don't trust Management. Note to the Ravens Management: Your best assets are your people; your current and past employees. Wake up and let's get this fixed.
ReplyDeleteIt's because of that whole team's "Ray Lewis" attitude. I've always been for AFC teams till the Ravens made it to the Super Bowl.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to get her nothing! She can't even use them as a reference for 5 years of service now. Nothing but sour grapes. This girl has issues.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are the one who has issues how much time have you given the Ravens in the past 5 years . I bet if this was you you would be rasing holy hell and whinning and crying and making a BIG ASS MESS out of it.
DeleteEveryone is entitled to their own opinion. Stop being a bully because someone doesn't share your opinion and get a life of your own!
DeleteThe Ravens have always been a low class and over hyped team.They have a no class quarterback and a few players that should be in prison
ReplyDeleteIdiot!
DeletePeople comparing her to Ray Lewis??? Are you people high? She's a freaking cheerleader!
ReplyDeleteShe should be allowed to go since she cheered all of the games this year and they didn't take cheerleaders on two away games! Complete jerks are the Ravens who want loyalty but show none in return.
ReplyDeleteThanks for shakin it for five years , I'm all shook down bout you not going to the super bowl. I'm sorry your a loser that has to stay here on the couch and watch it on tv.i would love to be rewarded for quitting , but in America you don,t get rewarded for quitting . Next try sexual harassment or pain and suffering or something so you can get something for nothing .
ReplyDeleteLoser
YOUR THE LOSER,SHE MISSES 2 GAMES IN 5 YEARS,AND SHE GETS SCREWED,IF YOU THINK THAT WAY,THEN YOUR THE LOSER.
DeleteMaybe the 49er's can use a great Cheerleader on their squad for the superbowl. Five years doesn't get you much anymore. What a bunch of DICK'S.
ReplyDeleteNot loyal enuff to cheer in the last two games. Her loyalaty should have come with faith in the team and its chances to make the playoffs,thick m thin till the end! She'll get over it, all pretty girls do!!
ReplyDeletewaaaaaa
ReplyDeleteSounds like Courtney should have gone to Ray Lewis for retirement advice.
ReplyDeleteYou know Ray's motto: If you've got questions, I've got antlers.
I mean answers...
Great site.
Vinny
www.thespreadzone.blogspot.com
It makes sense, that team shouldn't be there anyway!
ReplyDeleteWhy is everyone upset? She retired at the end of the regular season. That's when she decided to retire. That does not include playoffs. Can't compare to Ray Lewis is is retiring at the end of the season. Not regular season.
ReplyDeleteShe chose the wrong time to retire. Her decision. Now live with it.
I have seen Playboy, and Penthouse, Centerfolds wearing more clothing than these cheerleaders are wearing. Why bother having "uniforms", which cover almost nothing????
ReplyDeleteClassy organization from the top down. Take the murderer and leave the cheerleader. What else would you expect from organization that breeds jailbirds.
ReplyDeleteANOTHER REASON TO HATE THE RAVENS,FROM A TEAM OF CRIMANALS,TO A TEAM STOLEN FROM ANOTHER CITY,TO CRIMANAL, UGLY LOOKING UNIFORMS,AN UGLY SCAVENGER BIRD,(WHY DIDNT YOU CALL THEM THE MUSTANGS,OR SOME OTHER UP LIFTING NAME) TO WEIRD LOOKING NUMBERS,TO A NO BETTER THAN AVERGE QB (DONT TELL ME ABOUT HIS PLAYOFF RECORDS,HE HAS A GREAT DEFENSE BAILING HIM OUT)TO THE LUCKIEST QB EVER,ON PRACTICALLY HAIL MARY PASSES.
DeleteYou sound like an angry, bitter person.
DeleteRay Lewis should not be playing because he was using Deer Antler Velvet (Banned substance) during this season as an aid to healing and muscle development,
ReplyDeleteWHERES MY
ReplyDeleteRAY,,KILL SOME ONE YEARS AGO AND GOT AWAY WITH IT,SHE NEVER OR NEVER DID DO DRUGS TO BE A CHEER LEADER,,,ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY SHE CAN'T WIN THE GAME HE CAN,,,,,,,,,,,BS
ReplyDeleteYou need to educate yourself.
DeleteI hope she gets to go. Heck, the 49ers and Ticketmaster are rewarding a woman with 5 tickets for being stupid.
ReplyDeletehttp://now.msn.com/sharon-osgood-49ers-fan-scammed-for-dollar5900-will-see-super-bowl-game-anyway
Holy cr@p!
DeleteNot that I would care, but that idiot gets breakfast with Troy Aikman too?!?!
If that moron gets five tickets to the Super Bowl for being stupid, then Baltimore needs to straighten the Lenz situation out.
I feel that it's her own fault 4 not going 2 the superbowl. She quit after the regular season. That was her decision the Ravens didnt fire her, she quit on her own. She didnt go 2 cheer in any playoff games so why should she b entitled 2 go 2 the superbowl 32/60 cheerleades will attend, all are not going you just happen 2 b 1 of them. It's not like you were still cheering and they didnt pick u, u decided 2 quit @ the end of regular season probably thinking that they were not going 2 make it 2 the superbowl.Get over it and focus on your career path that you choose 2 quit cheerleading over in the 1st place. No pity party over here, it's life suck it up and move on.........
ReplyDeleteSound like a bitter Patriot fan. Too bad for you.
ReplyDelete