Speaking with PEOPLE, the women, who have spent over the last 30 years, working with the organization, share whether retirement is on the horizon
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NEED TO KNOW
- Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell are the recognizable faces at the helm of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, acting as the director and head choreographer
- Since 1984 for Trammell and 1989 for Finglass, the two women have worked for the organization and, before that, were dancers for the team themselves
- Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE following the release of the third season of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the two DCC staples reveal if they have their eyes set on retirement anytime soon
For the last four decades, Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell have worked with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
In 1980, Trammell, now 68, joined the ranks of the NFL cheer squad as a dancer, serving as a group leader during her time with the team, and later, in 1984, becoming the assistant choreographer.
That same year, Finglass, now 61, joined the team as a cheerleader and stayed on as one until 1984. At the time, Finglass was the first cheerleader ever invited back to be on the team without having to formally re-audition. Following her stint as a dancer, the Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones hired Finglass on as an assistant director for the cheerleaders and in 1991, she was promoted to director.
Over the last two years, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have seen a resurgence in popularity as a result of the hit Netflix series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
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On June 16, the third season of the Netflix show was released, and some moments focused on both Finglass and Trammell as they reflected on their time with the organization. The two women also spoke candidly on the show about the sacrifices they have made over the years in order to devote so much time to the development of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Now, speaking with PEOPLE following season 3, the two leaders of the DCC reveal if they have any plans for retirement anytime soon.
Sitting side by side, the two women played off of each other, as they discussed whether they see retirement close on the horizon.
"Judy and I both have sacrificed so much time with our families, our children, our spouses, our parents, and in Judy's case, grandchildren, that I can't imagine because I've been at this job since I was 27 years old, so I don't know life outside of DCC in some regards," Finglass muses.
Credit: Wilford Harewood/Disney via Getty
"I busy myself a lot, I mean, I love working in my yard. I'd like to finally have home cooked meals," she adds, reflecting on what she might look forward to when retirement hits.
However, there's one upcoming life milestone that she's sure might be the final catalyst for her retirement.
"When I get the chance to be a grandparent, that's probably when I will say no for myself because I want time with my family," she says. "I think I've sacrificed a lot of time. But at the same time, the cheerleaders and Judy are like family and we're so, so close. That in itself, just not going to work every day and have Judy there for me like a sister will be a huge adjustment, one that I don't think anybody on this call can define yet."
Credit: Wilford Harewood/Disney via Getty
Trammell is slightly more definitive, telling PEOPLE that she knows that retirement is coming "pretty soon" at her age. Though she's not sure when exactly soon is yet, she's clear that when her work with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders stops being fun, she'll "know it's time to go."
"It'll be hard whenever that day is, period," she concludes.
Finglass spoke with PEOPLE in 2025 about the first season of America's Sweethearts, reflecting on her career with the organization.
"I've been in the business of flawless. I mean, my whole career has been to present flawless pictures, flawless dances," Finglass said, referring specifically to the storylines of beloved cheerleaders Reece Weaver and Anna-Kate Sundvold.
"It's just brilliant to see all these beautiful stories of people that are flawless and, and it was beautiful," she added. "It was beautifully imperfect and I love that it's changed. It's really changed my mindset." Before season 1's premiere, Finglass told PEOPLE that "the whole show has new access and you learn things about the cheerleaders that even we didn't know as their coaches."
She added at the time, "It's beautiful and it's vulnerable and I think it'll be very insightful for fans. And that was the right place for this type of storytelling to be."
Seasons 1 to 3 of America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders are streaming now on Netflix.
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