US football fans divided after NFL teams add men to their cheerleading squads ahead of season
Male cheerleaders being included in more NFL teams has divided football fans, and now the performers have hit back.
The Minnesota Vikings have introduced two new male cheerleaders, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn - who have since faced homophobic and hateful backlash - in place of two female cheerleaders ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
The Baltimore Ravens, LA Rams, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers have also announced they will include male cheerleaders this season, up from seven teams last season.
The news has divided NFL fans.
Fox News' Will Cain said he "doesn't have anything against male cheerleaders', but argued it was the type of cheerleading they were doing that he had a problem with.
'There is something different than what is going on in the NFL,' Cain said.
'And if we're really being honest, we're talking about male cheerleaders being female cheerleaders. That's what's happening with these men who are cheering on the Minnesota Vikings.' — Oli London (@OliLondonTV) August 17, 2025
Former Hercules star Kevin Sorbo wrote on X: 'I've been a Vikings fan all my life … sigh. I need a new team now.'
'Male cheerleaders should be doing male things not trying to look like one of the girls, it's not sexy because it's a DUDE. Lifts and one arm holds not dancing and prancing,' one fan commented on X.
The Vikings male cheerleaders Sheik and Conn hit back at the online hate, sharing a photo together captioned: 'Wait … did someone say our name?'
The pair received online support despite the negativity directed towards them.
'The funniest part of all this male cheerleader nonsense is the fact that the NFL has had male cheerleaders for years & no one was mad or cared until they were told to be,' one fan said on X.
'Fun fact: Presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan were once both male cheerleaders,' another said.
'What y'all are doing is so f****** important. At a time when rights are being threatened there's no louder activism then being loud and proud. You guys are f****** amazing!!!,' a third added on Instagram.
Male cheerleaders have been involved in cheerleading across high schools, college and professional levels, commonly seen throwing their female counterparts in the air.
The Vikings have since responded in a statement last week, following the widespread backlash of the two male inclusions in their 2025 squad.
'While many fans may be seeing male cheerleaders for the first time at Vikings games, male cheerleaders have been part of previous Vikings teams and have long been associated with collegiate and professional cheerleading,' the club said.
'In 2025, approximately one-third of NFL teams have male cheerleaders. Every member of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders program has an impressive dance background and went through the same rigorous audition process. Individuals were selected because of their talent, passion for dance and dedication to elevating the game day experience.
'We support all our cheerleaders and are proud of the role they play as ambassadors of the organisation.'
In 2018, the Rams were reportedly the first team to include men in their cheerleading squad.
In 2025, the New Orleans Saints revealed 13 men would be part of their Saints Cheer Krewe squad.
The 2025/26 NFL season kicks off on Thursday September 4 with the Dallas Cowboys taking on the Philadelphia Eagles.
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