Sidelined is a documentary film that explores the impact of the groundbreaking decision made by several NFL cheerleaders who posed nude for Playboy magazine in 1978. The women received approval from their respective team managements and believed that they were taking a bold step towards gender equality and empowerment.
However, when the issue hit the newsstands, it sparked a national controversy and opened up a Pandora's box of repercussions for the women and their teams. Many criticized the women for damaging the reputation of the NFL and for setting a bad example for young girls who looked up to the cheerleaders as role models.
The film features interviews with the women who posed for Playboy, as well as their families, teammates, and other experts who offer insights into the cultural and historical context of the era. It also examines the complex dynamics of power, gender, and sexuality that played out in the aftermath of the controversy.
Sidelined is a powerful and thought-provoking film that offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in American cultural history and sheds light on the ongoing struggle for gender equality in sports and society as a whole.