NFL Sparks Outrage After Adding Male Cheerleaders

The NFL is back in the spotlight — and not for football. The Minnesota Vikings ignited a firestorm earlier this month when they unveiled their 2025 cheer squad featuring two male dancers, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn.

The team proudly announced the move in an Instagram video captioned, “The next generation of cheer has arrived!” But while many praised the “inclusive” approach, others saw it as yet another sign that the league is caving to “woke” culture.

Cheerleading, once a male-only sport in the 1800s before becoming synonymous with glamorous women on NFL sidelines, has now become a flashpoint in America’s ongoing culture wars.

By the 1950s, NFL cheer squads were exclusively female, designed to attract fans and boost TV ratings. That remained the norm until 2018, when the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints first introduced men to their sidelines. Since then, the number has grown — about one-third of NFL teams now include male cheerleaders.

But the Vikings’ announcement came amid a broader debate over the NFL’s image. Fans already accused the league of going “too woke” after the 2025 Super Bowl featured pride flags and a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often called the Black national anthem.

Actor Kevin Sorbo, a lifelong Vikings fan, summed up the frustration of many: “I’ve been a Vikings fan all my life… sigh. I need a new team now.” His post racked up more than 53 million views.

Interestingly, not all conservatives are on the same page. Fox Nation host Tomi Lahren pushed back against the outrage, writing on X:

“I don’t get the outrage over male cheerleaders. Who cares? At least they’re not pretending to be girls. Male cheerleaders are not a new thing. Oh well. Conservatives don’t need to be outraged over everything.”

Her comments, viewed more than 2.8 million times, drew both praise and backlash.

Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Senator John McCain, echoed Lahren’s sentiment, posting:

“This guy isn’t competing in women’s sports. He’s a man who enjoys dancing and is skilled at it. There is no reason to be outraged. Male cheerleaders have been around since cheerleading began — get a grip.”

McCain, who proudly reaffirmed her Republican identity last fall, reminded followers that one of her high school neighbors was a male cheerleader. Her post has garnered over 500,000 views.

Still, many fans aren’t buying it. Eric Matheny, host of the Bob & Eric Save America podcast, blasted the move:

“Cheerleaders are supposed to be attractive women because football is a man’s sport. This isn’t going to go over well with a predominantly straight male audience.”

Other critics accuse the NFL of prioritizing progressive politics over its traditional fan base. “It feels like they’re shoving this down our throats,” one Vikings season ticket holder told us. “I’m here for football, not social experiments.”

In a statement to Newsweek, the Vikings defended their decision:

“Every member of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders program has an impressive dance background and went through the same rigorous audition process. Individuals were selected based on talent, passion, and dedication to elevating the game-day experience.”

USA Cheer, the national governing body, also weighed in:

“Men have long contributed to the sport’s strength, creativity, and athleticism. Cheerleading thrives on diversity, teamwork, and inclusion.”

The NFL season kicks off September 4, when the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, face off against the Dallas Cowboys. But the real battle may be cultural rather than athletic.

As President Trump focuses on restoring “American traditions” during his second term, clashes like these over the NFL’s identity are only expected to intensify.

“We want football, not politics,” one conservative fan wrote. “And the NFL still doesn’t get it.”