Rah-rah! Lions will have cheerleaders this season

DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Lions will have their own cheerleaders for the first time in more than four decades.

Lions President Rod Wood announced the decision Monday, saying that adding cheerleaders will elevate game-day entertainment.

Team spokesman Ben Manges says the team hasn't had its own cheerleaders since the 1974 season when Detroit's home field was Tiger Stadium. The Lions later had high school cheerleaders perform at the Pontiac Silverdome. They have chosen not to have cheerleaders in the past at Ford Field, their home since 2002.

Most NFL franchises have their own cheerleaders.