Rachel Washburn is not your average football fan. The Philadelphia Eagles honored the former cheerleader as its "Hometown Hero" Sunday night after she returned home from two tours in Afghanistan as First Lieutenant in the United States Army.
Washburn cheered for the Eagles from 2007-2010 while she attended college at Drexel University. After graduating with an ROTC scholarship, Washburn traded in her Vera Wang-designed sequined uniform for camouflage gear, joining the Army's Cultural Support team.
"The Cultural Support Team was an initiative created by the military to fulfill a tactical gap in Afghanistan, given the cultural restrictions," Rachel told the Philadelphia Eagles website. "The Special Operations operators are not able to engage the female population, so they recruited females in the military to fill that gap. We could be their voice during missions for engagement to ensure security on objectives, and we could help search and secure the females and the children during missions."
During Washburn's second tour, she served as a platoon leader of an Army intelligence unit.
The Eagles' director of cheerleading, Barbara Zaun, called Washburn the epitome of the "American Hero," and said Sunday night served as a way to thank the former cheerleader for her service.
Washburn's interest in the armed forces stemmed from her father, who was a pilot in the Army and Air Force. He nominated his daughter for the recognition. Though she moved mutliple times throughout her childhood, Washburn's interest in the armed forces did not waver. She considers Philadelphia her hometown.
-
James Middleton Shares Why He Was "Breathless and Flustered" During Meeting With Queen Elizabeth"I heard a snort of laughter and looked past the Queen to see everyone in the room stifling their giggles."
-
This Modern Princess Will Break a 600-Year-Old Tradition When She Takes the ThronePrincess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway will follow in a long-ago ruler's footsteps.
-
Hailey Bieber's "Favorite Jacket" Is Actually One She DesignedIt's a piece for husband Justin Bieber's new brand.
-
11 Books That Are the Antidote to Toxic Girlboss Hustle CultureThese memoirs and nonfiction titles will inspire you to focus on your personal ambitions.
-
Almost FamousHalf of the Shondaland dream team, the woman whose work brings 'Bridgerton' to life, is one of the most influential producers in Hollywood. And she’s ready for everyone to know it.
-
Payal Kadakia Is Finally Sharing Her Secret Sauce to SuccessIn her new book, LifePass, the ClassPass founder gives you the tools to write your own success story.
-
The Power IssueOur November issue is all about power—having it, embracing it, and dressing for it.
-
J. Smith-Cameron Is in ControlShe’s Logan Roy’s right hand. She’s Roman’s ‘mommy girlfriend.’ And she’s a fan favorite. Here, the Succession star takes us behind the scenes of Gerri’s boardroom power plays.
-
More Than A Pretty Face: Anna SchuleitGerman-born artist Anna Schuleit went from anonymous to Einstein virtually overnight, thanks to a call from the MacArthur Foundation announcing that she'd won a 2006 "Genius" grant for $500,000.
-
What Makes an Olympic Moment?In the past it meant overcoming struggle...and winning. But why must athletes suffer to be inspiring?
-
'The Other Black Girl' Gets Real About Racism in the Workplace"It really hits home how many spaces don’t allow Black women to really show up as their authentic selves."
