Conservative Fans Slam Inclusion of Men in Cheer Squads as Another Step Toward Woke Overreach

Minneapolis, MN – The NFL, once a bastion of American tradition and rugged masculinity, is facing a firestorm of backlash from its conservative fanbase following the inclusion of male cheerleaders on several teams’ rosters for the 2025 season. The Minnesota Vikings’ decision to prominently feature two male cheerleaders, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn, in their 2025-2026 squad has ignited a fierce debate, with many fans arguing that the move undermines the sport’s cultural heritage and alienates its core audience.

The controversy erupted after the Vikings announced their new cheer squad with a social media video captioned, “The next generation of cheer has arrived!” The clip showcased Shiek and Conn performing alongside female cheerleaders, prompting an immediate outcry from fans who view the inclusion of men in what has traditionally been a female role as a betrayal of the NFL’s identity. “I’m not a Viking fan no more,” one disillusioned supporter commented on Instagram, echoing sentiments shared across platforms like X, where fans expressed frustration with hashtags like #LeaveFootballAlone. Another user wrote, “This might be the dumbest move in NFL history. First male captains of a cheer squad? Something smells off here”.

Conservative commentators have seized on the issue, framing it as part of a broader cultural shift that they argue prioritizes progressive agendas over the preferences of the NFL’s largely male, traditional fanbase. “The NFL is one of the last truly national cultural institutions,” noted The American Spectator. “When ‘progress’ comes at the expense of what fans recognize and connect with, the result isn’t growth—it’s erosion”. Republican Congressman Clay Higgins amplified the sentiment, stating, “I don’t think the NFL actually wants conservatives to watch their football games. And if that’s their business model, they’re doing very well”.

The backlash is not limited to the Vikings. Twelve NFL teams, including the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, and New England Patriots, have added male cheerleaders to their 2025 rosters, up from seven in 2024. While teams like the Rams broke ground in 2018 by including male dancers Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies, the growing prominence of men in these roles has reignited tensions. Critics argue that cheerleading, historically designed to captivate a male audience with its feminine aesthetic, is being reshaped to push a diversity agenda that feels forced and out of touch. “It’s not about tolerance,” The American Spectator argued. “It’s the creeping feeling that the male attraction to female beauty is being impugned, that the rules are being rewritten in real time, and no one asked if we were okay with it”.

Social media has amplified the discontent, with posts garnering millions of views. Actor Kevin Sorbo, a lifelong Vikings fan, lamented on X, “I’ve been a Vikings fan all my life… sigh. I need a new team now,” in a post that reached 29 million views. Radio host Owen Shroyer added, “Imagine you buy front row season football tickets and when you sit down there’s some man gyrating right in front of you”. These reactions reflect a deeper frustration among conservatives who feel the NFL is drifting from its roots, embracing what they see as performative inclusivity at the expense of its traditional fanbase.

While the Vikings and other teams defend their decisions, citing the rigorous audition process and the historical presence of male cheerleaders in collegiate programs, the defense has done little to quell the outrage. “Male cheerleaders have been part of previous Vikings teams and have long been associated with collegiate and professional cheerleading,” the Vikings stated, noting that approximately one-third of NFL teams now include men on their squads. Yet, for many fans, the issue isn’t about the dancers’ qualifications but the perceived erosion of a cultural touchstone. “Leave football alone, let fans just enjoy football and leave them alone with social issues and politics!” one user pleaded on X.

The controversy comes amid broader cultural battles within the NFL, from debates over pride flags to performances of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black national anthem. For conservatives, the inclusion of male cheerleaders is another sign that the league is prioritizing elite approval over the values of its heartland fans. As one fan put it, “You never tire of trying to force us to pretend that this is a product people want”.

As the 2025 season unfolds, the NFL faces a delicate balancing act. While some applaud the league’s push for inclusivity, the vocal backlash from conservative fans suggests that the move could further alienate a significant portion of its audience. For many, football is more than a game—it’s a cultural institution that should reflect the values and traditions of its fans, not the latest social experiment. With threats of boycotts and canceled season tickets circulating, the NFL may soon discover whether its gamble on redefining cheerleading will cost it the loyalty of those who fill the stands.