The Week 18 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders was a thriller until the end, but not every play was the best executed.
Ask the Cowboys cheerleaders.
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas’ reliable kicker, was preparing for a kickoff, which is routine for his position in the league.
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Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions on December 30, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
But Aubrey’s attempt to kick the ball downfield went awry, as it was immediately kicked out of bounds to the left, and a Cowboys cheerleader was the unfortunate recipient.
After an NFL cameraman failed to catch the ball with one hand, it hit a cheerleader in the back of the head, sending her to the ground in the surprise incident.
Social media users suspect that Michelle Siemienowski, a freshman cheerleader from Dallas, was the one hit by the ball.
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Luckily, he stood up and seemed to laugh at the situation after it happened.
The rest of her cheer team made sure to check on her, as did Commanders punter Tress Way, who was in the area.
Siemienowski made the cheer team in July and wrote on Instagram that it was “my dream for as long as I can remember” to be part of the famous team.
“This has been the most life-changing experience for me, but it’s just the beginning. I’m so grateful to be able to say that I achieved my dreams and earned my boots!”
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 9, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Once play resumed following the incident, the Cowboys found themselves looking to end the season on a high note, but the Commanders had something else on their mind.
Marcus Mariota, who replaced Jayden Daniels at quarterback given the team’s playoff berth, knew potential seeding was on the line when he received the ball with just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Washington, trailing by three points, didn’t just think about a field goal to tie the game, as Mariota found himself on second-and-goal from the Dallas 5-yard line, throwing a pass to Terry McLaurin on the outside.
McLaurin jumped in the air and caught the ball, keeping both feet inbounds to win the game on the final play from scrimmage.
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform during the NFC Wild Card game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers on January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
As a result, the Commanders finished the season 12-5, although the Philadelphia Eagles won the division with a 14-3 record. But the win earned them the No. 6 seed instead of the No. 7, which would have them traveling to Philadelphia to face those Eagles in the wild-card round.
Meanwhile, Dallas finishes the season 7-10.
