"The NFL's first male cheerleader was none other than Robin Williams - well, kind of. This year, cheerleaders-come-athletes Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn made the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders. Their recruitment caught the attention of right-wing sporting fans, who argued that men shouldn't be allowed to cheer for NFL teams. The right-wing backlash came despite the NFL having 71 male cheerleaders across 11 different teams at the beginning of the 2025 season, as per OutSports."
"Right-wingers might be interested to know that the late Robin Williams was actually the first male cheerleader, sort of. The 63-year-old comedian, who had struggled with depression, died by suicide on 11 August, 2014, leaving behind an influential film legacy that included many notable LGBTQ+ roles. On 11 November, 1979, Williams performed as the first male cheerleader for the Denver Broncos Pony Express cheerleading squad during their game against the New England Patriots."
Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn joined the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders this year and attracted criticism from right-wing sporting fans who argued men should not cheer for NFL teams. The backlash occurred despite the NFL having 71 male cheerleaders across 11 teams at the start of the 2025 season, according to OutSports. Shiek responded to online criticism by posting a photo with Conn in their Vikings Cheerleaders uniforms and replying, "Wait... Did someone say our name?" Robin Williams performed as a male cheerleader for the Denver Broncos Pony Express on 11 November 1979, wearing his Mork costume and inspired by Glenn Welt's earlier attempt to join NFL cheerleading.
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