40-year-old mom makes New Orleans Saints cheerleading squad

A 40-year-old mother of two earned a spot on the New Orleans Saints cheerleading squad, known as the Saintsations, the team announced Wednesday.

Rookie Kriste Lewis from Hattiesburg, Miss., is the oldest candidate to ever tryout, according to the team.

“I tried out just for fun,” Lewis said. “I thought it would be epic; then I made the team.”

A dance-fitness instructor, Lewis is now one of only two NFL cheerleaders in their 40s, according to the team.

Lewis said the audition was on her bucket list, but she became even more motivated to try out after she was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, a hereditary condition, which will eventually require a kidney transplant, she said.

“I know my time is limited,” Lewis said, according to the team. “I don’t want to let any time go. I want to make every day count.”

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