The return of male cheerleaders to the NFL has reignited debates over gender, athleticism, and masculinity. The Minnesota Vikings’ debut of two (fabulous) male cheerleaders has drawn both praise and backlash, with critics clinging to the stereotype that men in cheerleading should exist only to lift women into the air, never to occupy center stage themselves.
Media coverage has highlighted how these reactions reflect efforts to police masculinity in sport rather than evaluate athletic performance. For athletes like Blaize Shiek, whose flowing hair and perfectly shaped eyebrows dominate social media conversations, and Louie Conn, whose dance skills rival professional performers, visibility means crossing entrenched gender barriers while shouldering public scrutiny.
The Important History of Male Cheerleading
Ironically, the recent uproar over men in cheerleading ignores the sport’s own roots. Cheerleading began in the late 19th century as a male-dominated activity at Ivy League universities. Women did not enter the field until World War II, when men were sent to war.
Over time, beauty standards and the sexualization of cheerleaders transformed the activity. As research on the gendered politics of sport shows, cheerleading has long been a contested space, with participants celebrated for their athleticism yet diminished by stereotypes (Adams & Bettis, 2003). The return of male cheerleaders to NFL sidelines, then, is not a novelty, but a revival of the sport’s original identity.
The Impact of Media Attention on Athlete Mental Health
If the 19th century established the foundation for cheerleading, the 21st century has certainly established perspectives on how the media shapes athletes’ mental health. Social media often reduces athletes to memes and punchlines, erasing their humanity and forgetting that they too have families, teammates, and psychological vulnerabilities. Research finds that online harassment, objectification, and performance scrutiny are strongly linked to higher anxiety, depression, and identity-based stress (Reardon & Factor, 2023).
For male cheerleaders, criticism rarely addresses their athletic performance. Instead, it targets their masculinity and their very right to belong. This scrutiny has secondary effects, impacting family members exposed to online hate, teammates who are questioned about legitimacy, and organizations that are forced to manage public pressure. Too often, critics forget the most basic truth: Athletes are people first, deserving recognition for skill rather than solely public consumption.
Where Do We Go From Here
As the debate over male cheerleaders in the NFL unfolds, the real question is whether it is truly about athletic performance or about society’s discomfort with blurred gender boundaries. History reminds us that while men built the foundation of cheerleading, women have shaped it for decades, and now all genders are collectively redefining it.
When the media dictates who belongs in athletic spaces, and who doesn't, the mental health of athletes and those surrounding them suffers. By celebrating performers like Blaize and Louie, the NFL has the opportunity to spotlight athletic excellence while challenging gendered assumptions that restrict access to sport for everyone.