Hi Buccaneer Friends and Family,
What a year this has been! Even after being a performer for the larger part of my life, I can say with certainty that nothing in my professional dancing career has come close to the experience of dancing on the NFL sidelines. After many months of internal debate, I have decided to retire.
Though I may never don an NFL cheerleading uniform or have front row seats to some of the league's most exciting matchups again, there are three things I will carry with me forever: the memories had, the lessons learned and the friendships made as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader Kasey.
Selecting one memory to recount in my farewell to you is impossible. My brainstorming revealed a recurring theme: all of my favorite memories are tied to the Buccaneers commitment to giving back. Between visiting sick children in their hospital beds, thanking the troops for their honorable service or handing out presents to children during the holiday season, not a week went by this season that I didn't feel like I was making an impact in the community.
So what did I learn (besides how to make my hair stand up to heat and humidity and keep red lipstick from getting all over my teeth)? Perfection will always be goal, but never be attained. Keep going, push yourself, and always strive to be better -- not necessarily the best.
To the twenty six women that stood by my side this past year: thank you. You motivated me when I was discouraged, trusted my help and advice when you needed it, and together, we formed one well-oiled machine -- both on and off the field. Somehow you managed to make thousands of lunges, countless hours of rehearsals, and the most jam-packed calendar of all time seem like a walk in the park. I am so grateful for every single one of you and the impact you each have made on my life.
I'm thrilled to see what's in store for the Buccaneers this year. An impressive new logo, an incredible new coach and state-of-the-art new uniforms -- to say we're set up for success is an understatement. Even though I won't be on the sidelines next season, I will continue my role as a fan in the Buccaneers community at training camp, games and community events. Because even without my poms, it will always be a Bucs life for me.
Kasey
