Tomi Lahren and Meghan McCain have defended male cheerleaders in the National Football League (NFL) amid a social media backlash against men participating in the sport.
The controversy began on August 9 when the Minnesota Vikings took to Instagram to announce its squad, which includes two male cheerleaders: Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn.
The NFL team posted a video featuring Conn and his teammates with a caption that said, "The next generation of cheer has arrived!"
Newsweek has contacted Lahren and McCain for comment via email on Thursday.
Why It Matters
Cheerleading originated in the 1800s as a male-only sport at Ivy League schools, according to USA Cheer. It wasn't until World War II that women began participating as men went off to war.
In the 1950s and '60s, the NFL introduced all-female cheerleading squads, a trend that persisted until recently. In 2018, the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints included men in their cheerleading squads.
Today, many NFL teams have male cheerleaders, including the New England Patriots, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tennessee Titans and the Seattle Seahawks. Still, the Vikings' announcement has sparked debate among conservatives.
What To Know
On Monday, Lahren, a conservative political commentator, took to X to share her thoughts on the discourse.
"I'm sorry, but I don't get the outrage over the male cheerleaders. Who cares? At least they're not pretending to be girls. Male cheerleaders are not a new thing. Oh well," the Tomi Lahren Is Fearless host wrote. "It's not necessary for conservatives to be outraged over absolutely everything. It's inconsequential."
Her post has received more than 2.8 million views and 39,000 likes.
McCain, the daughter of the late U.S. senator John McCain, agreed. Responding to a user who posted the Vikings' video of Conn, she wrote: "This guy isn't competing in women's sports. He's a man who enjoys dancing and is skilled at it. There is no reason to be outraged."
McCain, who said in September that she was "proud member of the Republican Party," continued: "Male cheerleaders have been around since the incarnation of cheerleading—in fact my neighbor in high school was one. Get a grip."
Her post has received more than 517,300 views and 8,100 likes.
The fresh criticism comes amid questions over whether the NFL is too "woke," a term Merriam-Webster defines as "aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)."
Recently, the organization has been the target of online critics over its display of pride flags and singer Ledisi's performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," often referred to as the Black national anthem, at the 2025 Super Bowl.
What People Are Saying
Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn released a joint photo on Instagram on August 16 with the caption: "Wait...did someone say our name?"
The Minnesota Vikings previously said in an email to Newsweek: "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."
USA Cheer previously told Newsweek: "Whenever traditions evolve, there can be mixed reactions, but the presence of men in cheerleading and dance is not new. Men have long contributed to the sport's strength, creativity, and athleticism. Cheerleading and dance are inclusive activities that thrive on teamwork and diversity, and we support organizations as they determine what makes sense for their athletes, audiences, and communities."
Kevin Sorbo, an actor known for Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, wrote in an X post with 53.5 million views and 18,000 likes: "I've been a Vikings fan all my life... sigh. I need a new team now."
In a separate post with 2.6 million views and 12,000 likes that included a video of Conn performing, he added: "Gross. Why."
Eric Matheny, a host of the Bob & Eric Save America podcast, wrote in an X post with 389,900 views and 681 likes: "Cheerleaders are supposed to be attractive women because football is a man's sport. This isn't going to go over well with a predominantly straight male audience."
What Happens Next
The 2025 NFL season begins on September 4, when the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, take on the Dallas Cowboys.
