The upcoming Monday Night Football showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals is set to be a unique experience for kicker Cade York, as it will be more than just another game for him. York will have some extra motivation and a familiar face cheering him on, but from the opposite sideline.
This matchup means a bit more to York, as he recently revealed that he is dating Zoe Dale, who happens to be a cheerleader for the Cowboys.
York, now in his third NFL season since being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2022, spoke to the media on Thursday about his relationship with Dale.
The timing of the game couldn’t have been more serendipitous, given his recent signing with the Bengals just this week to fill in for the injured Evan McPherson. York shared his excitement about being able to see his girlfriend during such a significant moment in his career.
Dale, who is in her second season as a member of the Cowboys cheerleading team, will be performing on the sidelines at AT&T Stadium on Monday night as York takes the field for the Bengals. It’s an unusual situation, with the couple on opposing sides, but York is taking it all in stride.
“My girlfriend is actually a cheerleader for the Cowboys,” York revealed. “And she got baptized this Sunday. Literally the next day, I get a call that I’m going to work out for the Bengals, and they are playing [the Cowboys] on Monday. I was like, ‘Well, Zoe, I will see you at home no matter what.'”
The whirlwind turn of events has added an extra layer of excitement to an already high-profile game. While Dale will be in Cowboys colors and cheering on her team, York shared that when it comes to him, her loyalties are clear. “She’s going to be cheering for me,” York said with a smile. “But yes, we’ll both be there. She already told me—second quarter and fourth quarter are when she’s on the visiting side.” The couple’s lighthearted approach to the unique circumstances adds an endearing element to the Monday night matchup.
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For York, this opportunity with the Bengals comes after a challenging journey in the NFL. Originally selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, York showed promise but struggled with consistency.
He was released by the Browns in 2023 after making only 75% of his field-goal attempts. The following year, he bounced around practice squads, eventually signing with the Washington Commanders for a single game, during which he missed both of his field-goal attempts.
Despite the setbacks, York has stayed determined to prove himself as a reliable kicker in the league.
His signing with the Bengals this week provides him with a fresh opportunity to get his career back on track, and the stakes are high. Filling in for the injured Evan McPherson, York knows that he has a chance to make a strong impression and secure a more permanent role in Cincinnati.
The added bonus for York is having Dale in attendance for his Bengals debut, even if she’s cheering from the Cowboys’ side.
With Dale performing her duties as a cheerleader for Dallas, and York kicking for Cincinnati, it’s a unique moment for the couple, blending both their professional and personal lives. Regardless of the outcome, the two will get to share a special experience together on one of the NFL’s biggest stages.
York is hopeful that this game will be the start of a successful chapter with the Bengals, and having the support of his girlfriend, even if it’s from across the field, makes it all the more special. For Dale, while her official role may be cheering for the Cowboys, there’s no doubt she’ll be rooting for her boyfriend when he’s out there, trying to make every kick count.
As the Bengals take on the Cowboys under the bright lights of Monday Night Football, all eyes will be on the action—but for Cade York and Zoe Dale, there will be a special connection that transcends the rivalry between their teams.
It’s moments like these that remind us that even in the high-stakes world of professional sports, personal relationships and love add a touch of humanity to the game.
