Kriste Lewis, a 40-year-old mother of two has made her longtime dream of being an NFL cheerleader a reality. Kriste Lewis has beaten hundreds of women half her age to become a New Orleans Saints cheerleader. Mrs Kriste Owens Lewis accomplished her goal while battling kidney disease. Kriste Lewis and the other ladies of the Saintsations will make their debut next month when the Saints go up against the Titans.
Kriste Lewis, a dance instructor from Hattiesburg, Mississippi has made NFL history by being the oldest person to audition and make it in the New Orleans Saints cheerleading squad also known as the Saintsations.
Laura Vikmanis, 45, who dances and cheers with the Cincinnati Ben-Gals is the oldest cheerleader in the NFL.
In April of 2014, Kriste Lewis who was about to celebrate her 40th birthday decided to accomplish something off her bucket list by trying out for an NFL cheerleading team.
Lewis who was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease 14 years ago was encouraged by her entire family, including her husband Tim, and her two sons Jake 14, and Rob, 11, to go for it.
The dance instructor went head to head with hundreds of beautiful and athletic young girls between the ages of 18 and 30.
Against the odds she made the squad.
Talking to the media, Lewis explained every day is precious because she is living with an incurable disease.
The cheerleader revealed that she has lost several family members to the illness and is aware that just like her mom, she will undergo dialysis and will need kidney transplants one day.
But meanwhile she is enjoying life and dancing everyday.
The outgoing woman at the other 35 members of the Saintsations will be taking the field for the first time on August 15 when the New Orleans Saints battle the Tennessee Titans at the Superdome.
