Mixed cheer squads have been an increasingly common sight on game days|louieconn|Instagram
Several NFL teams are defending their decisions to hire male cheerleaders. Backlash grew recently as 12 teams included them on 2025 rosters, up from seven in 2024.
The New Orleans Saints, for example, will have 12 men among 47 total performers this season, with three women replaced after tryouts.
The debate
Congressman Clay Higgins accused the NFL of alienating conservatives, while former Miami Dolphins and New York Giants kicker Jay Feely argued men shouldn’t replace women in sports.
The Minnesota Vikings issued a statement saying they were “proud” to have male cheerleaders, noting that they’ve been part of Vikings squads in the past and are common in collegiate cheerleading.
The debate traces back to 2018, when the Los Angeles Rams broke tradition by adding two men to their dance team. Since then, more franchises, including the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens, have followed suit.
Mixed cheer squads have been an increasingly common sight on game days.