The Face Behind the 'Chunky Cheerleader' Article

As much as I was surprised that the article being critical of Oklahoma City Thunder cheerleader Kelsey Williams was printed and that it was by a woman, I have to say I am even more surprised by this recent twist to the story.

The name 'Claire Crawford' was a pseudonym for Anna-Megan Raley who at one time tried out for the Houston Dynamo cheer squad (ironic, huh?):




Hmmm...so a woman who looks to be in similar shape as the one she is criticizing tried out to do the same thing wearing the same style outfits (all be it as part of an assignment).

Could this article of hers had been anymore ill-advised? The phrase 'pot calling the kettle black' comes to mind, and not just because of the cheerleader connection. Their physiques are pretty darn similar (from what I can tell in the video.

The Chronicle has since deleted Raley's Twitter accounts, for her real name and psuedonym.

To her credit, Kelsey has handled the whole mess with grace. She has responded to the whole sordid affair with just the following tweets:

"To be womanly always, discouraged never"
— Kelsey Self Williams (@KelseyBWilliams) April 24, 2013

We wouldn't know what blessings were if we didn't go through trials. Thank you to EVERYONE for the compassion and love today. I'm in awe.
— Kelsey Self Williams (@KelseyBWilliams) April 25, 2013

It is definitely one of those things that should have never happened, and personally I see it as a coward's way out for the blogger, Crawford/Raley. The easiest thing in the world to when it comes to blogging is criticize. That takes no talent at all.

When your team plays as bad as the Rockets team did in Game One it is hard to find something good to write on, but it isn't impossible. It is certainly no reason to tear another person down.