Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Emily Awbrey “blames” two teammates for her return after being fired: “I hit rock bottom”
Awbrey had lost her confidence in her ability to perform, but two close friends have helped her recover
E mily Awbrey has two Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to thank for helping her find the confidence to audition again after being cut in 2025 as the 24-year-old says Faith Ward and Taylor Altieri helped her confront the fear that had threatened to end her dream. Awbrey discussed their influence by explaining that the disappointment of missing out on the squad initially sent her into a difficult period and although she knew she wanted another chance, she struggled to make herself take that step.
“I actually, to be so honest, I think I went lower before I went higher,” Awbrey said to Page Six. “So I got cut and I always knew I wanted to audition again but I kind of just, I got in a bit of a rut where my headspace was more, ‘I’m scared to try again because what if I fail?’ “And they kind of were the ones who lit that fire in me and reminded me that there’s so many people that are supporting me,” she explained. “And truly the only person at that time who was being negative was myself, in my head.” The change began when Awbrey travelled back to Dallas to watch Ward perform as Ward had made the 2025 team, whilst Altieri , a cheerleader since 2023, offered a place to stay during the visit and encouraged her to try again. Altieri also shared a connection with Awbrey beyond cheerleading: both women are from Oregon as their encouragement helped her see another audition as an opportunity rather than a risk she should avoid, and she decided to approach the process differently. “I need to just listen to this and run to it and not be as scared of it,” Awbrey added, as she believed fear had held her back the previous year, and said she did not use traditional therapy to change her mindset at that point. Instead, she described the shift as something she had to make herself, recognizing that she needed to stop allowing self-doubt to dictate whether she pursued the goal, and the renewed determination ultimately carried her back into the audition process. Her second attempt ended with the outcome she had hoped for: Awbrey was named a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for the 2026-2027 NFL season, joining the duo on the squad. The three women are now teammates after playing different roles in her journey back.
Cowboys look to bolster running back room
Dallas are looking to add depth at running back after hosting three players for tryouts on Tuesday, including former New York Giants and Cowboys runner Jashaun Corbin as the 26-year-old spent around three and a half weeks with the team during the 2026 preseason. Corbin has the most NFL experience of the three players evaluated, and he also played six regular-season games for the Giants in 2023, recording one rushing yard and three receptions for 12 yards. But has since spent time with several teams, including the Atlanta Falcons , New England Patriots and San Antonio Brahmas . He previously led the UFL with 514 rushing yards in 10 games during the 2025 season. Dallas also worked out Damon Bankston and Blake Watson as the team considers its options before Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts .
