Instead of hiding or feeling ashamed as detractors had hoped, Compagno proudly showcased her three years in the NFL as some of the most empowering and exhilarating days of her life. It wasn’t until an unexpected twist forced her to step back behind the scenes — but even then, nothing could dim her light. And that, she said, is exactly what led her to Fox News.

“They said I couldn’t be both brains and beauty — so I became the weapon they feared”

Emily Compagno, a familiar face on Fox News as a legal analyst and co-host, has never been one to shy away from a challenge. Known for her sharp intellect and commanding presence, she has built a career that defies stereotypes and silences doubters. Yet, it was a pointed jab from a Fox News colleague that brought her past as an NFL cheerleader into the spotlight.

“They said I couldn’t be both brains and beauty,” Compagno recalled, her voice steady but laced with defiance, “so I became the weapon they feared.” The colleague’s attempt to belittle her time as an Oakland Raiders cheerleader, known as a Raiderette, backfired spectacularly. Instead of retreating, Compagno leaned into her past, proudly celebrating her three years in the NFL as some of the most empowering and exhilarating days of her life.

Her journey, however, took an unexpected turn when a minor injury and the transient nature of cheerleading forced her to step back—but nothing could dim her light. That resilience, she says, paved the way to her current role at Fox News.

Compagno’s story begins in Oakland, California, where her passion for dance and her connection to the Raiders fueled a childhood dream. In April 2007, she earned a coveted spot on the Raiderettes, the NFL’s iconic cheerleading squad for the Oakland Raiders.

For Compagno, it wasn’t just about performing on the sidelines. It was about discipline, teamwork, and representing a legacy. “Being a Raiderette was a dream come true,” she shared in interviews. “It wasn’t just about the glamour—it was about the grind, the sisterhood, and the pride of being part of something bigger.”

Over the next three years, she rose to the rank of team captain, a testament to her leadership and dedication. Her role extended beyond the field, as she was selected by the NFL as an ambassador to promote the brand in Beijing and Shanghai. She also joined a USO tour, one of only five NFL cheerleaders chosen to visit U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait, an experience she describes as profoundly humbling.

Yet, even as she thrived, Compagno faced skepticism. Some questioned how a cheerleader could also be a serious professional, especially as she balanced her Raiderette duties with her career as a criminal defense attorney in San Francisco.

A graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, Compagno was no stranger to hard work, having passed the California Bar Exam in 2006. “People assumed I couldn’t be both,” she said. “They thought cheerleading was frivolous, that it diminished my credibility as a lawyer.”

But Compagno refused to let others define her. She saw no contradiction between her roles, viewing each as a facet of her strength. Her time as a Raiderette honed her ability to perform under pressure, a skill that later translated seamlessly into the high-stakes world of live television.

The turning point came in 2010, when a minor injury sidelined her. Though not severe, the injury—a sprain sustained during a demanding practice—forced her to confront the physical toll of cheerleading. “It was a wake-up call,” she admitted. “I loved every second of being a Raiderette, but the injury made me realize how temporary that world is.”

The life of an NFL cheerleader, while exhilarating, is inherently short-lived. Most cheerleaders perform for only a few seasons, and Compagno, then in her early 30s, recognized that her future lay elsewhere. “I had achieved everything I wanted with the Raiderettes,” she reflected. “I was ready to channel that energy into something new.”

That “something new” was a pivot toward her legal career and, eventually, television. After leaving the Raiderettes, Compagno continued practicing law, including a stint with the Social Security Administration.

Her charisma and legal expertise caught the attention of media outlets, and by 2018, she was a regular contributor on Fox News. Her ability to break down complex legal issues with clarity and confidence made her a standout.

But it was her unapologetic embrace of her past that set her apart. When a colleague at Fox News attempted to undermine her by referencing her cheerleading days, Compagno didn’t flinch. “I’m proud of every step of my journey,” she declared. “Those years taught me resilience, discipline, and how to command a room—skills I use every day on air.”

Compagno’s rise at Fox News, where she now co-hosts shows like Outnumbered and The Five, is a testament to her ability to turn adversity into opportunity. She has become a role model for women navigating multifaceted careers, proving that one can be both brains and beauty—and so much more.

“They wanted me to feel ashamed of my past,” she said, “but I turned it into my strength.” Her story is one of defiance, not just against naysayers but against the limitations others try to impose. From the sidelines of the NFL to the studios of Fox News, Emily Compagno’s light continues to shine, undimmed by doubt or detour.