The majority of the Kennesaw State University (KSU) cheerleaders who followed in Colin Kaepernick's footsteps by taking a knee against racism and police brutality last year did not make the team this year, reports CBS 46 News.

The "Kennesaw 5," as they have been dubbed, believe this is an act of "political retaliation" for taking a knee and joining others across the nation protesting during the national anthem.

Four out of the five cheerleaders did not make the final cut. One of the young women, Tamia Dean, told the local Atlanta outlet she had no problems making the cut prior to her protest. What had changed?

"Made it twice before. Now, I didn't make it," said Dean.

She made the team as a freshman and sophomore but, now as a junior, this is her first year not cheering for the school.

"It was competitive, definitely, but I don't think that we were at the bottom of the competition level at all," Dean said.

For the last two years, the protests started by former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick have overtaken the NFL and spread to other sports.

The five joined in last season. KSU's president, Sam Olens, planned to resign following the release of a report from the University System of Georgia indicating the school's mishandling of the situation by not allowing them to protest. Olens wanted the cheerleaders to protest in the tunnel away from fans. The report supported their right to exercise freedom of speech.

KSU has come out against accusations of political retaliation. They claim there was an uptick in the number of people trying out, and four of the protesting cheerleaders just weren't good enough, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In 2017, 61 applicants tried out for the squad. That number grew to 95 this year — "creating more competition for the 52 available spots on the roster." Seven students from last year's team didn't make it.

Even though she is not on the team anymore, Dean does not regret taking the knee.

"I think when you want to stand up for things you believe, sometimes you lose stuff, and this just happens to be something that I lost."

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Kennesaw State Cheerleaders

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