The NFL has become no stranger to scandal and controversy. But the latest alleged transgression is particularly disturbing.


Several ​Washington Redskins cheerleaders revealed to The New York Times that during a 2013 trip to Costa Rica, they were required to pose topless in the presence of team sponsors and felt "pimped out." The requests left many of them in tears during the trip.

The cheerleaders described that during a calendar photo shoot at Occidental Grand Papagayo resort on Culebra Bay, they were required to walk around topless during the event. The Redskins did make it known the calendar itself would not display any nudity.


Where it gets particularly disturbing is the Redskins had invited an all-male contingent of sponsors and FedEx Field suite-holders to attend.


After the photo shoot, several of the women were told they had been "picked out" by some of the male guests to personally escort them around for the evening. The cheerleaders were not asked to have sex with the men in question, but did have to participate as "sex symbols."

One of the cheerleaders described the situation when the squad's director told them they were to be dates of the guests.


“They weren’t putting a gun to our heads, but it was mandatory for us to go. We weren’t asked, we were told. Other girls were devastated because we knew exactly what she was doing.”


If the reports coming out are true, the Redskins organization has some real explaining to do. I'm sure the NFL will weigh in heavily as the league continues to rebuild their reputation following a string of controversies over the past couple of years.