Everything comes to those who wait, and, for those patient Dallas Cowboys fans, their long wait certainly paid off yesterday with a 30-7 win against the Cincinnati Bengals, a win made even more satisfying after one of their cheerleaders scored one of the most amazing touchdowns ever seen in the NFL.
With Dallas leading 23-7, and the Bengals on offence at their own 45-yard line, quarterback Brandon Allen threw to the left sideline where tight end Gilbert Snackworth was wide open for the pass.
But a surprise was in store.
A Cowboys cheerleader, Candice Bedworthy, 19, recognized the play from earlier in the game, and, throwing down her pom-poms, ran onto the field as Allen was unloading, intercepted the pass at the Dallas 48-yard line, and set off at a sprint for the Bengals endzone.
She was ably protected by several Cowboys blockers, and cut inside to avoid two potential tackles, before she charged over the goal-line.
There were no flags on the play.
The Bengals complained bitterly, but the judges on the field waved them away.
Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, said:
"She certainly has some powerful thighs!"
It was Bedworthy's first touchdown of her career.
She later told reporters that, right from the snap, she saw where the ball was going, and, in that split second, saw the future.
"I just went for it!" she said, nervously playing with her pom-poms.
