Minnesota Vikings’ Male Cheerleaders Respond to Backlash with Instagram Post

The Minnesota Vikings’ male cheerleader Blaize Shiek appeared to take a dig at his critics after making his NFL debut. 

A rookie member of the Vikings’ squad, Shiek is one of two male cheerleaders joining the sidelines ahead of the 2025 season, alongside Louie Conn. 

However, Shiek and Conn’s inclusion in the squad has sparked shocking backlash from NFL fans, with some of Minnesota’s supporters even threatening to cancel their season tickets. 

The beaming pair shared a photo of themselves waving their golden pom-poms as they posed in their cheerleading uniforms. 

 ‘wait… did someone say our name?’ Shiek wrote in the caption, referencing the furor around their inclusion. 

The duo took to the field for the first time earlier this month when the Vikings opened their preseason schedule against the Houston Texans at US Bank Stadium.  

Male cheerleaders have been present in the NFL since 2018 but with their growing prominence in the league, some fans have begun to take issue with it.

Yet, the Vikings also fired back at the critics, defending Shiek and Conn amid the ongoing controversy. 

‘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,’ a statement from the team earlier this week. 

‘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 organization.’

The Vikings aren’t the only NFL team to have faced backlash over the past week over the male members of their cheer squad. 

The New Orleans Saints also found themselves on the receiving end of outrage during preseason after announcing that they have hired more male cheerleaders ahead the upcoming season. 

The franchise confirmed that there will be a total of 13 men on the 2025 Saints Cheer Krewe Roster after three women were replaced following tryouts. 

Joining the Saints and the Vikings, this season, the Panthers, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Colts, Titans, Patriots, 49ers, Eagles, Rams, abd Ravens will all feature male cheerleaders in their squad.

The Los Angeles Rams claimed to have made history in 2018 when they added Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies to their dance squad.

However, despite co-ed cheerleading squads becoming common practice in the league, some football fans still take issue. 

But many within the sporting world have defended the male cheerleaders, including former Fox Sports analyst Joy Taylor, who mocked those critics.

‘So teaching kids (that) slavery was not a big deal is acceptable but male cheerleaders is where “conservatives” draw the line,’ she wrote on social media alongside three laughing emojis. ‘Also this isn’t new so as usual, OUTRAGE over nothing.’