Full Breakdown
Male Cheerleaders Spark Online Culture-War Backlash Ahead of the 2026 NFL Season
9/1/2026, 10:04:16 PM
Teams Featuring Male Cheerleaders
Newsweek’s mapping shows that nine NFL franchises have male cheerleaders on their squads for the 2026 season: the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders. The practice dates back to the sport’s origins, when cheerleading was male-dominated in the late 19th century, and re-emerged in the NFL in 2018 with the Rams and Saints adding male dancers.
Online Criticism and Counter-Responses
The controversy intensified after a video of a Philadelphia Eagles male cheerleader went viral. Social-media activist Robby Starbuck’s post attracted over 190,000 views, claiming no football-going demographic wants male cheerleaders. The user @coldcallsniper posted a remark seen by more than 400,000 people, while Newsmax host Carl Higbie urged fans not to watch the NFL this year.
Left-leaning voices pushed back. Commentator Ed Krassenstein tweeted that Republicans were “having a breakdown” over the Eagles’ male cheerleaders, and user @CurtisWenis noted that the only reason many are aware of male NFL cheerleaders is “because of conservatives,” a post that garnered 295,000 views.
Historical and Cultural Context
Male cheerleaders have long appeared in popular media, from TV series such as *Heroes* and *Glee* to the film *Bring It On*. Their presence in professional football now intersects with broader culture-war debates. The NFL has previously been a flash point for “woke” criticism, exemplified by the furor over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show on February 8, and ongoing disputes over transgender athletes in other leagues.
Official Perspective
A Vikings spokesperson told Newsweek that while many fans may be seeing male cheerleaders for the first time, the team has a history of including them, reflecting a longer tradition in both collegiate and professional cheerleading.
What’s Next
The 2026 NFL regular season is scheduled to begin on September 9. As the league moves forward, the debate over male cheerleaders is likely to remain a micro-cosm of the larger cultural clashes playing out across American sports.
