Breaking Tradition: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Faith Ward Sparks Debate With Ponytail Look

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for the 2025 NFL season, all eyes aren’t just on the players. The spotlight has also turned to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) — America’s Sweethearts — and one rookie in particular who is shaking up decades of tradition.

Faith Ward, the first-ever New Zealander to make the legendary cheerleading squad, is already making headlines. But it’s not only for her historic achievement or her skills on the field — it’s for her hairstyle.

A Ponytail That Sparked Conversation

During training camp, Ward surprised fans by wearing her hair in a slicked-back ponytail rather than the long, flowing locks the DCC are famous for. Social media quickly lit up with questions and debate after she was seen in multiple TikTok and Instagram posts performing routines in the look.

For decades, the DCC image has been tied to a very specific style: hair down, voluminous, glamorous. Ward, however, broke that mold — and she’s well aware of the stir it caused.

“It’s crazy because obviously the DCC hairstyle is hair out, fluffy, voluminous, luscious, long locks. I’ve, you know, broken that stereotype,” Ward admitted in a July 21 interview with ABC Perth.

She explained that the change came after a rehearsal when she was sweating with her hair down during the team’s intense “Thunderstruck” routine. According to Ward, DCC director Kelli Finglass suggested tying it up to see how it looked — and the rest is history.

Fans React — And Not Everyone Agrees

The ponytail might have been practical, but the fan reaction has been anything but simple.

On TikTok and Instagram, the comments came pouring in:

• “The pony is iconic but like how is she allowed to have it like that?”

• “Y’all are allowed to wear ponytails? I assumed everyone was required to wear their hair down.”

• “Of the over a decade I’ve seen MTT there’s never been a girl in a ponytail. Why does she get to? She’s beautiful, tho.”

• “No pony! It’s the DCC way. If she is the only one, it will look weird. This is not college.”

• “Girl, the hair needs to come down 😭 it looks sooooo much better down.”

• “Why does Faith have her hair up?”

The feedback highlights how deeply ingrained the DCC “look” has become — and how unusual it is for anyone to stray from it.

A Step Toward Change?

Faith Ward may not have intended to spark a cultural debate, but her hairstyle has opened a conversation about tradition, image, and individuality within one of the most iconic cheerleading squads in the world.

Will the ponytail become part of the DCC’s evolving image, or will Ward be asked to conform to the traditional style once the season begins?

For now, she’s standing out as both a rookie and a rule-breaker — and fans will be watching closely to see if her ponytail makes it onto the field when the Cowboys kick off in 2025.