As an NFL cheerleader, being the selected representative of your team for the Pro Bowl is the highest honor. Knowing that your team and your coaches have their faith, pride and trust in you is a surreal feeling. I was announced as the PBC at our holiday show in mid-November; once announced, I got straight to work on prepping to make sure that the MVC had their best foot forward.
Heading into Pro Bowl, I had heard a lot of stories on what it would be like and how I would be impacted. I took those things to heart, but also wanted to have my own organic experience without preset expectations; I wiped all of the stories from my mind the moment I stepped onto my flight to Orlando.
When I arrived, I met seven of my sisters right off the bat, and we hit it off. After participating in a group message together for a couple months leading up to that week, it was exciting to finally meet. We were instant best friends over text, and even closer the moment we met in person. Walking into the Pro Bowl festivities was amazing – instantly, all my sisters and I were connected! We worked hard and had a lot of laughs throughout the week.
My favorite appearance while in Orlando was our very first one, where we danced and cheered at the Skills Challenge. But my absolute favorite moment of the week was taking our iconic "rock" photo. This is a tradition that lives on, even though the Pro Bowl location has changed over the years. That was the moment that I really knew this was real. Once the photo was revealed, I couldn't help but cry; it was a moment where all my hard work came full circle.
Game day was a new experience as it down-poured throughout almost the entirety of the game. Although this was a fun experience and something that I could check off my bucket list, I will take our indoor U.S. Bank Stadium any day!
I am so thankful for this organization for changing my life in so many ways. Pro Bowl proved to be just as lifechanging as everyone told me it would be. I am grateful that my team, coaches and the Vikings organization had faith in me to represent them at the 2018 Pro Bowl. It was a memory I will never forget.
XO,
Saral, 7th year & 2018 Pro Bowl Representative
