This football season NFL cheerleading squad reveals have seen more fellas getting into the act.
Of course, men have long been part of high school and college cheer squads, primarily facilitating stunts. But increasingly, NFL teams are welcoming guys to the dance squads that help raise spirits in stadiums.
Some of the fans though, not so much.
A video recently went viral for revealing Jeremy Greer as a rookie on the New England Patriots’ 2025-26 cheerleading team.
And many Minnesota Vikings fans recently learned there are two men on that organization’s cheerleader roster for this season.
The Vikings organization is facing backlash from some fans, with talks of a boycott, saying they want to keep men out of the cheerleading spaces.
“Minnesota Vikings has a man as their new lead cheerleader. As if you needed another reason to avoid the NFL and Minnesota,” one poster on X said.
Actor Kevin Sorbo was among those disapproving of the addition.
Sorbo, who starred in the 1990s TV series “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” posted to social a video showing one of the male rookie cheerleaders, remarking, “I’ve been a Vikings fan all my life… sigh. I need a new team now.”
The Vikings are standing by their coed team.
“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 Minnesota Vikings said in a statement.
“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.”
Which NFL teams have male cheerleaders?
The Los Angeles Rams became the first NFL team to have male cheerleaders, bringing two on board in 2018.
The Baltimore Ravens squad includes 19 men, some dancers, some stunt performers.
In addition, the Carolina Panthers had the first openly transgender cheerleader for an NFL team in 2022.
Are there male Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders?
The Colts, who host the Green Bay Packers in preseason play on Saturday, had a coed cheer and stunt team 10 to 15 years ago, said Steve Campbell, vice president of communications and external affairs.
While men are allowed to audition for the Colts cheer team, all the members of the 2025 squad are women, he said.
Contact Midwest Connect reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cjackson@gannett.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Male NFL cheerleaders are all the talk. Do the Indianapolis Colts have men cheering?
Reporting by Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
