Vikings Under Fire Over Male Cheerleaders
The Minnesota Vikings have sparked both criticism and support online after introducing male cheerleaders to their 2025-26 cheerleading squad. While some fans have voiced outrage, others are applauding the team’s move toward greater inclusion.
“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,” the team said in a statement to Newsweek, addressing the controversy.
The backlash is the latest example of the NFL being drawn into wider cultural debates, with past reactions to pride flags, Super Bowl performances, and the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” — often referred to as the Black national anthem — sparking similar responses.
The Vikings introduced their new cheerleaders in a recent Instagram video captioned, “The next generation of cheer has arrived!” One of the featured additions, Blaize Shiek, shared his excitement in a personal Instagram post:
“Rookie Year. Excited and honored to share that I am officially a 2025-26 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader! … I hope to represent and inspire what’s possible when you stay true to who you are.”
Criticism surfaced quickly from some conservative corners of social media. One viral post from the account @tradwifemom read, “This is an official Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader this year. I’m so done with this state JFC.” Actor Kevin Sorbo also weighed in, saying, “I’ve been a Vikings fan all my life… sigh. I need a new team now,” a post viewed nearly 30 million times.
However, the response hasn’t been universally negative. Supporters have come forward to defend the cheerleaders and condemn the backlash. Journalist Billy Binion posted:
“I cannot for the life of me understand getting mad at stuff like this… Getting angry at that is such loser behavior.”
The Vikings may not be alone in diversifying their squad. According to the football-focused account MLFootball, 12 NFL teams are expected to include male cheerleaders this season — a list that reportedly includes the Vikings, Ravens, Rams, Saints, Eagles, 49ers, Patriots, Titans, Colts, Chiefs, Buccaneers, and Panthers. While not officially confirmed by the NFL, it could indicate a broader shift in the league’s approach to cheerleading.
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