Images: #TBT Gallery revisits suburban cheerleaders
Organized cheerleading first started as an all-male activity in November 1898.
From 1976 until 1985 the Honey Bears were the official cheerleading squad of the Chicago Bears franchise.
In 1985 the McCaskey family decided to get rid of the Honey Bears, claiming their cheerleaders didn't fit the team's tough image. Many Chicago Bears fans claim the team lingers under the Honey Bear curse, given the Bears haven't won a Super Bowl since 1985.
Today, you can find cheerleaders on the sidelines at every suburban high school football game. keeping fans in the game by singing out famous chants.
VFW cheerleaders in their new uniforms in September of 1967.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1967
Fenton High School cheerleaders in October of 1967.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1967
Fenton High School cheerleader during homecoming in October of 1967.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1967
Cheerleaders at Rolling Meadows High School during a football game in October of 1976.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1976
Cheerleaders contest winners in Mount Prospect in November of 1972.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1972
Cheerleading class at Rolling Meadows Park District in October of 1971.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1971
Cheering practice at park district in Rolling Meadows in October of 1974.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
Cheerleader at Rolling Meadows High School during a football game in October of 1976.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1976
Varsity cheerleaders at Arlington High School in November of 1970.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1970
Cheerleading tryouts in Hoffman Estates on August of 1970.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1970
Little League cheerleaders in Mt. Prospect on July of 1970.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1970
Cheerleading at Homecoming at St. Viator in Arlington Heights on October of 1984.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1984
Cheerleading tryouts in Hoffman Estates in August of 1970.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1970
Cheerleading at homecoming at St. Viator in Arlington Heights on October of 1984.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1984
Cheerleading at homecoming at St. Viator in Arlington Heights on October of 1984.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1984
Harper College vs Joliet football cheerleaders in Palatine on September of 1984.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1984
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