Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Claire Wolford is silencing online critics after she dutifully stood in for Reece Weaver on the sidelines amid an unexpected injury.
“I wanted to jump on here and address something,” Claire, 26, said in a Saturday, November 29, TikTok video. “I’ve just seen a lot recently and have grown a lot myself.”
Claire performed with the DCC squad earlier this month — stepping in for 23-year-old Reece after she got injured — for the first time in two years. (Clare retired from the team in 2023.)
“It was a very quick thing, and honestly, I’m very proud of myself for doing that,” she said of once again joining the squad on the field. “There were a lot of negative body-shaming comments. I just really hope people realize … I spent years of my life body-shaming myself, exercising and trying to fit a certain mold. I have healed from that and feel so much better where I’m at.”
According to Claire, the spiteful fan comments no longer affect her personally.
“You never know who you are triggering,” she added, wiping away tears. “There are girls who see that and maybe are not the same … and it causes them to stumble and think about, ‘Am I too big? Am I thick?’ and all the words that were thrown out [about me]. Years ago, that would have thrown me into a spiral and sent me to the gym for hours.”
Claire continued, “I just want people to realize, it’s just not OK to comment on people’s bodies. … There’s a lot better things to talk about, and there’s a lot more interesting things about people than their bodies.”
Claire further implored social media users to “put a stop” to all the “nasty” comments about her — and anyone else’s — physical appearance.
“Just stop commenting on people’s bodies, good or bad,” Claire stated. “To be honest, [throughout the] majority of my DCC career, I worked out very hard, I ate well [and] all of my jobs were on my feet, and I was never going to be the skinniest person, and that’s just not how I’m built. That’s fine; I’m strong, I’m athletic — and my body can do great things.”
While Claire admitted that she isn’t able to hit the gym as regularly due to her demanding work schedules, she is still proud of her health.
“I am so happy, like, I am making a lot of life decisions. There’s a lot going on, and I feel great in my skin,” Claire said. “It took me a long time to get here to this point, where I feel content.”
Several of Claire’s former DCC teammates offered their support in the comments section.
“Thank you for speaking on this, Claire. It’s so important for people to realize the power of their words and how there are certain topics that shouldn’t be spoken on,” alum Jada McLean replied. “You are a beautiful human inside and out, and I see the Lord in the way you love and defend others.”
Current cheerleader Charly Barby, for her part, called Claire her “biggest role model.”
“You are such a voice for everyone and are so loved by so many,” Charly, 24, wrote via TikTok comment. “You are beautiful and perfect beyond words. This is so important and so true. I adore you more than words can ever say.”
