• Bush senior rocks patriotic socks as he welcomes new Texans cheerleaders

    Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle via AP

    Former President George H.W. Bush poses for a group photo with the newly-announced Houston Texans cheerleaders.

    Smiley N. Pool / AP

    George H.W. Bush presents a rose to a new Texans cheerleader.

    Smiley N. Pool / AP

    George H.W. Bush wears American flag socks at a ceremony introducing the 2013-2014 Texans cheerleaders.

    Former President George H.W. Bush welcomes new Houston Texans cheerleaders to the 2013-2014 squad during a ceremony at the team's NFL football training facility in Houston on Wednesday.

    Editor's Note: These photos were shot on April 17, but made available to NBC News today.

  • Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders compete to make the team

    Larry Downing / Reuters

    Baltimore Ravens cheerleader Angel is pictured in front of participants during the cheerleaders tryout clinic at the Ravens training facility in Owings Mills, Maryland, February 19, 2011.

    By Rich Shulman

    I have mixed feelings about the whole cheerleader thing; the games should be interesting enough without all the extra show biz trappings.

    But I have to hand to the team of Reuters photographers who followed the cheerleaders from the tryouts to summer training camp to the NFL regular season.

    As Reuters reports:

    Cheerleader talent is strong along the east coast and candidates drive to Baltimore for team tryouts each March hoping to join the squad.

    Related: Baltimore Sun story on the tryouts.

    Jason Reed / Reuters

    Hopefuls line up to perform during tryouts for the Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders in Baltimore, Maryland, March 5, 2011.

    Molly Riley / Reuters

    Baltimore Ravens cheerleader hopefuls prepare prior to performing during tryouts for the Ravens cheerleaders in Baltimore, Maryland, March 6, 2011.

    Molly Riley / Reuters

    Ravens cheerleader contestants warm up before performing during an event called "Making the Cut" to select the final Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders in Baltimore, Maryland, March 26, 2011.

    Larry Downing / Reuters

    A cheerleader performs as judges watch during tryouts for the Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders in Baltimore, Maryland, March 5, 2011.

    Jason Reed / Reuters

    Judges discuss possible picks during tryouts for the Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders in Baltimore, Maryland, March 5, 2011.

    Larry Downing / Reuters

    A disappointed contestant cries after being eliminated during tryouts at for the Baltimore Ravens 2011 cheerleader squad at a gym in Baltimore, March 6, 2011.

    Larry Downing / Reuters

    A young fan of the Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders reacts as she has a cheerleader provide an autograph in Deep Creek, Maryland, May 21, 2011.

    Jason Reed / Reuters

    Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders perform stunts during cheerleader training camp at Deep Creek, Maryland, May 20, 2011.

    Larry Downing / Reuters

    Male and female Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders chat in the locker room prior to a Ravens NFL football game in Baltimore, Maryland August 25, 2011.

    Larry Downing / Reuters

    Baltimore Ravens cheerleader Olivia applies lipstick prior to the Ravens NFL football game in Baltimore, Maryland October 2, 2011.

    Larry Downing / Reuters

    The Baltimore Ravens 2011 cheerleaders run onto the field during a game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, August 19, 2011.

    Molly Riley / Reuters

    Baltimore Ravens cheerleader Angel lines up while players take to the field for a Ravens NFL football game in Baltimore, Maryland August 19, 2011.