Laura Vikmanis, Oldest NFL Cheerleader, Gets Film

Mom, cheerleader, and now, inspiration for a major motion picture.

At 42 years old, Laura Vikmanis is the NFL's oldest cheerleader. A registered dietician, trainer and mom of teenagers who set her mind to making the squad and joined the Cincinnati Bengals' Ben-Gals squad in 2009, Vikmanis serves as a guide for her younger cheerleading teammates. If it sounds like a Hollywood film, well, it soon will be.

New Line Cinema has picked up the rights to Vikmanis' story, The Hollywood Reporter reports, with "Gnomeo and Juliet" writers Emily Cook and Kathy Greenberg set to translate her life to a film script. It's a story that has already been documented in the national press.

“I was at a point in my life where I was like, ‘What do I really want to do? What’s something in my life that makes me happy?’ ” Vikmanis told her local Dayton Daily News in 2009. “I went to a couple games and saw the cheerleaders and thought that looked really, really fun.”

Still, no one thought she could make it, so when she made it to the final round of cuts in 2008, it inspired her to train for an entire year, making the team the next time around.

“My family, I think at first when I told them I was going to try out, were like ‘Oh yeah, that’s something fun to try,’" she said. "When I finally made it they were in tears and just so excited. They have been behind me 100 percent. ... My children thought it was cool, but I don’t think they understood fully until they went to the game and actually saw me on the field. They think it’s so cool."

For more on the film, click over to The Hollywood Reporter. To see Vikmanis tell her story in her own words, click over to Yahoo! News.

Comments

[Alan Bravender]

07:48 PM on 05/16/2011

DAMN girl ! You look great for 42 ( works for me )

[CLSayles]

08:27 AM on 03/31/2011

A very fit 42 y/o indeed. The Bengals still have a team??

[as75Chi]

07:06 AM on 03/29/2011

If this was about a 42 year old woman becoming a pro athlete, that's a good story. There are however plenty of 42 year old women still stripping and dancing on poles. So why is this an accomplishment. Everyone knows a cheerleader is just a stepping stone to 1) trophy wife or 2) stripper. Lol

[mardar35]

10:26 PM on 03/28/2011

the only reason for showing any interest in the bengals.

[Umm Aziza Jamila]

06:48 PM on 03/28/2011

She is doing what she loves and is good at it.
I cheered in college at age 25 and had 2 children ages 2 and 4 who traveled with me and the crew.
They were happy and healthy, learned how to behave in public and how to have fun also.
I think it is a good thing to grow up but not grow old, slow and lifeless.

[rikki52b]

04:28 PM on 03/28/2011

Very pretty lady good for her

[Deli]

03:23 PM on 03/28/2011

Where was she when Ben Roethlisberger needed her?

[tomasino]

02:58 PM on 03/28/2011

Is she dating Michael Vick? I think she'd be a good influence on him and help him to "settle down".

[cynical one]

02:06 PM on 03/28/2011

Cougars of the world unite! Great for her!

[Deli]

03:23 PM on 03/28/2011

Doesn't mean she dates younger men.

[TXconfidnz]

02:03 PM on 03/28/2011

Do your thing, Laura!

[petit chaton]

01:43 PM on 03/28/2011

Yes, it just goes to show, if a woman puts her mind to something, she can become a cheerleader. How inspiring. Really, just read the posts in here if you don't believe it. Ms. Vikmanis story has others asking such deep questions as ..."Are her breasts real or are they implants?" Thank you Laura Vikmanis... Thank you! Can't wait for the movie.

[AllieGoogle]

02:18 PM on 03/28/2011

So basically you feel a woman can't be inspiring if she is good looking?

You're just a hater

[petit chaton]

07:00 PM on 03/28/2011

No, I'm not "a hater". I just don't need an inspirational TV movie of a mom's wanting to become a cheerleader. Please, imagine yourself responding to a post about a 40-something dad aspiring to be a "Chippendale Guy". Then, you're told they're making a movie of it. Most guys would think it had to be a comedy starring Rob Schneider. But, you'd laugh if I told you it was a serious piece to inspire men. I can tell you, there wouldn't be much of an audience and I seriously doubt that YOU would be watching. And, if you didn't watch, I certainly wouldn't call you a "hater" or assume you have a small body appendage that makes you feel inferior, because that would be wrong. Again, I'm not a hater. I'm just a woman who finds this silly fluff, as would any serious man if reversed.

[rh654]

02:42 PM on 03/28/2011

Sounds like someone is either jealous because she can't look that good - or could never get a date with someone who looked that good.

If someone is a genius with a really high IQ and they use their intelligence to make a living, or to fulfill a dream does anyone mock them?

Someone who is as physically attractive as her is taking what was given her and what what she developed (or bought) and is using her looks to fulfill her dreams.

[tomasino]

01:08 PM on 03/28/2011

These accusations that Laura has had implants are as untrue as they cruel and envious. Laura's breasts are natural and lovely. She has every right to be proud of them. They're a standard by which other women of her age can measure their own shape and form. Way to go, Laura!

[ibsteve2u]

01:36 PM on 03/28/2011

"They're a standard by which other women..."

I thought I was reading somebody talking about somebody else's business achievements.

[tomasino]

01:48 PM on 03/28/2011

ibsteve2u – You were. Specifically, the business of health, good grooming and personal appearance. Laura has it all.

[rh654]

02:42 PM on 03/28/2011

Real or not - who cares - as long as they look good :)

[lustforlife802]

11:23 AM on 03/28/2011

Good for this lady. A confident, attractive woman in her 40's is truly a sight to behold.

[JohnnyLawson]

11:24 AM on 03/28/2011

Attractive?...that's being generous...

[maninal2]

11:33 AM on 03/28/2011

If she were confident she wouldn't need implants

[dartagnan]

12:51 PM on 03/28/2011

Ditto that.

[lustforlife802]

03:48 PM on 03/28/2011

Because women like Demi Moore and Courtney Cox are so lacking in confidence?

[Terri Lorz]

11:11 AM on 03/28/2011

Love this story. Good for her. Terri Jo Lorz