DeCABOOTER REUNITES WITH CARDINALS

By Patrick Lujan

GLENDALE, Arizona – For but a few minutes, the thrill of leading the cheers for the Arizona Cardinals was relived.

Guam’s Maria Manibusan DeCabooter was one of about 150 Cardinals alumni cheerleaders that took part in Monday Night Football festivities today in Arizona.

The Cardinals cheerleading squad celebrated 25 years of service to the football team dating back to the years when they were known as the Phoenix Cardinals.

“It was great to be out there again,” the 30-year-old DeCabooter said. “I met a lot of my old friends and the best part of it was I was able to bring my baby with me down to the field.”

10-month-old Michaela – who is a New Year’s baby – sported her baby cheerleading outfit as she was carried by a host of alumni cheerleaders before their big performance prior to kickoff against the Baltimore Ravens.

DeCabooter cheered for the Cardinals during the 2011-12 season and is one of only three known NFL cheerleaders from Guam. The other two are Pia Gillan with the Seattle Seahawks and Deborah Luck with the Oakland Raiders. Both Gillan and Luck were part of Super Bowl teams.

DeCabooter is a former SKIP dancer. Here is her Q&A with GSPN in November 2011.

Big brother Erwin Manibusan was on hand to watch his baby sister perform in the Alumni Performance prior to the Cardinals and Ravens game. (GSPN photo)

10-month-old Michaela sports her uncle’s GSPN hat before the Monday Night Football game in Glendale, Arizona. (GSPN photo)