The addition of two male cheerleaders to the Minnesota Vikings might not be stirring up as much backlash from fans as expected. The team recently announced that Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn will be joining the cheer squad in 2025.
Interestingly, it seems Shiek is leaning into the debate surrounding their roles. He took to Instagram, posting, “Wait… did someone say our names?” alongside his cheer uniform photo with Conn.
The Vikings responded to the mixed reactions with a statement, supporting Shiek and Conn. “Although many fans might be meeting male cheerleaders for the first time at a Vikings game, this has been part of the team’s history, and male cheerleaders are a longstanding tradition in professional cheerleading at the collegiate level,” they explained.
In fact, by 2025, around one-third of NFL teams will have male cheerleaders. The Vikings emphasized that all members of their cheer team share a strong dance background and undergo a demanding audition process.
Interestingly, the Los Angeles Rams were reportedly the pioneers in bringing a male cheerleader to their squad in 2018.
Prior to joining the Vikings, Conn was part of the Iowa Cyclone dance team. While some fans have expressed displeasure, even threatening to cancel their season tickets, it appears those cancellations have not materialized, according to statements made to NBC News.
