The 2025 NFL season is just around the corner, kicking off this September, but the chatter online about male cheerleaders is already ramping up and is rife with mixed reactions.
Newsweek has reached out to various NFL teams employing male cheerleaders to get their take, mostly through emails and online messages after hours.
Why Male Cheerleaders Are Making Headlines
Male cheerleading isn’t exactly a novel concept. Back in the late 1800s, cheerleading was predominantly a male activity. However, things shifted in the 50s and 60s when the NFL started adopting squads made entirely of women, and that became the norm for many years. Fast forward to 2018, and the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints broke the mold by introducing male cheerleaders—an update that’s gradually being picked up by other teams.
Nowadays, the NFL has become a battleground for cultural debates, with fans and social media users taking to their platforms to voice concerns about the league being too “woke.” Past controversies have included the Super Bowl halftime show, the use of pride flags, and performances of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”—often referred to as the Black national anthem. The introduction of two male cheerleaders for the Minnesota Vikings has stirred up similar displeasure.
What’s Going On
The inclusion of male cheerleaders has sparked a wave of criticism for many NFL teams on social media.
This season, teams boasting male cheerleaders include:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Los Angeles Rams
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans
- San Francisco 49ers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Seattle Seahawks
The Vikings offered a response to the backlash in an email shared with Newsweek on August 15, highlighting that while fans might be witnessing male cheerleaders for the first time, this practice isn’t entirely new for the team or cheerleading as a whole.
They stated, “Male cheerleaders have been part of earlier Vikings teams and are also well-represented in collegiate and professional cheerleading nationwide.”
Moreover, male cheerleaders have long been part of pop culture. The classic 2000 film Bring It On features male cheerleaders prominently, while popular TV series like One Tree Hill, Heroes, and Glee also showcase male cheerleading in educational settings.
Despite the heavy online backlash, many people are voicing support for these cheerleaders, stressing that male participants have always had a place on the field.
Reactions
The Minnesota Vikings clarified in their email: “After reviewing our comprehensive audition process where each member of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders has demonstrated outstanding talent and a strong commitment to the sport, we’re proud of all our cheerleaders serving as the face of our organization. They undoubtedly enhance the game day atmosphere.”
Zach W. Lambert commented on X, reaching 1.2 million views: “Elephants are the biggest babies on earth—apart from the folks upset about male cheerleaders in the NFL.”
Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA chimed in with a post seen by 670,000 users: “This isn’t 2020, and the country isn’t with this nonsense, yet the @NFL insists on fighting their fans.”
User @AriDrennen posted on X, getting 1.2 million views: “First, it was about not changing your sex; now it’s about not having fun and doing activities tied to another gender.”
Tomi Lahren, a conservative commentator, shared her viewpoint in a widely viewed post: “Honestly, the fuss about male cheerleaders baffles me. Who cares? They’re not masquerading as women; male cheerleaders have existed forever. I don’t understand why conservatives are getting worked up over every little thing. This is inconsequential.”
Kevin Sorbo, an actor, expressed his thoughts: “Been a Vikings fan my whole life… sigh. Time to find a new team…”
Looking Ahead
The kickoff of the NFL season is set for September 4.
