Vikings defend male cheerleaders amid online backlash

The Minnesota Vikings are standing behind Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn, the team’s two male cheerleaders, as they face a wave of online backlash and threats to boycott the club ahead of the 2025 season. The organization reiterated its support for the entire Vikings Cheerleaders squad after the pair were introduced to the public, noting that male cheerleaders have a long history within the sport and that every member of the program earned their spot through the same rigorous audition process.

The confrontation centers on Shiek and Conn’s inclusion on the 35-member squad, a decision announced earlier this month and celebrated by many fans as part of a broader push toward inclusivity in professional sports. Yet social media responses have included hostile and sometimes homophobic remarks from some corners of the online world, with messages accusing the team of undermining tradition or masculinity. In response, the Vikings issued a statement underscoring the historical presence of male dancers in football and reaffirming their pride in the cheer program as ambassadors for the team.

The team’s public defense is complemented by the personal motivations the two men have shared since...