Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn.
Minnesota Vikings’ male cheerleaders Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn have spoken out. (@blaize_shiek/Instagram)
National Football League (NFL) male cheerleaders on the Minnesota Vikings squad have delivered the best response to online hate.
Cheerleaders-come-athletes Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn made the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders 2025 roster in May this year.
Despite the prevalence of male cheerleaders in NFL teams, the Vikings’ announcement has belatedly caught the attention of right-wing sporting fans in recent moments, who believe that men shouldn’t be allowed to cheer for NFL teams.
In a new post from Shiek, a photo of himself and his teammate Conn in their Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders uniform, he effortlessly responded: “Wait… Did someone say our name?”
Even former NFL player Torrey Smith has backed the cheerleaders, telling his followers, “If he wants to cheer, let him cheer.”
The organisation stood by the two cheerleaders, writing in a statement: “Every member of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders program has an impressive dance background and went through the same rigorous audition process.
“We support all our cheerleaders and are proud of the role they play as ambassadors of the organisation.”
According to the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders’ website, auditionees must be at least 18 years old at the time of the first team meeting, after team members are selected. Prior dance training and experience are mandatory, as is full availability during the contracted period.
Ahead of this year’s auditions, the organisation said it was on the lookout for “dynamic dance athletes with unmatched energy and talent to represent the Minnesota Vikings”. It did not mention any gender identity requirements.
Judges evaluated candidates by “athleticism, dance technique, showmanship, and ability to work in a team setting”.
Despite what the far-right might think, the inclusion of male cheerleaders in the NFL is hardly a symptom of “wokeness”, nor is it a new trend. Male cheerleaders were first introduced to the NFL in 2018, when Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies joined the Los Angeles Rams.
The Carolina Panthers also made history in 2022 by hiring the NFL’s first out trans cheerleader. Athlete Justine Lindsay has returned to perform with the squad this year.
Last season, seven teams had a total of 18 men on their cheer squads, while approximately half of all collegiate cheerleading teams have men on their teams, according to a UCLA Centre study.
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