Jeff Webb, a trailblazer in the cheerleading world and known mentor to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has passed away at the age of 76 following a tragic accident while playing pickleball.
According to Cheer Daily, Webb succumbed to a serious head injury sustained during the game, which ultimately led to his family making the difficult decision to remove him from life support.
Webb was a significant figure in the cheerleading community, having founded Varsity Spirit in 1974. Under his leadership, it became the largest cheerleading organization in the United States, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in shaping the modern sport.
Beyond cheerleading, Webb was also known for his active role in conservative politics. The Independent notes his close relationship with Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, considering Webb a guiding influence in Kirk’s journey.
Following Kirk’s untimely assassination on September 10, Webb publicly reflected on Kirk’s legacy, discussing his contributions and the void his passing left within the movement.
After Kirk was assassinated on September 10, the cheerleading tycoon spoke on several platforms about the impact the Turning Point USA founder left behind.
‘We may have lost a future president. Charlie Kirk had it all—charisma, faith, respect for everyone,’ Mr Webb told Real America’s Voice shortly after the shooting.
‘Now, in his absence, tens of thousands of new chapters are rising. His legacy is just beginning.’
Webb was also in attendance at the White House when Kirk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Jeff Webb died Thursday from a head injury sustained two weeks earlier while playing pickleball at the age of 76, Cheer Daily reported
Webb was recognized as a pioneer of competitive cheerleading, a conservative political activist, and was considered a ‘mentor’ to Charlie Kirk (Webb pictured Pete Hegseth US Secretary of War)
Turning Point released a nine-minute tribute video to X in memory of the cheer mogul.
‘A visionary who helped shape generations of young leaders and believed deeply in the power of community and country,’ read the video’s caption.
‘A dear friend to Turning Point USA and Charlie. He will be greatly missed.’
A Varsity Brands spokesperson released the following statement: ‘Varsity Brands is saddened by the passing of Jeff Webb, founder of Varsity Spirit and modern cheerleading.’
‘Jeff played a pivotal role in shaping cheerleading as it exists today and in building a community that has impacted generations of athletes, coaches, and teams. In recent years, his contributions have helped grow the sport both in the United States and globally, including his work with the International Cheer Union, which achieved full recognition by the International Olympic Committee in 2021.’
‘We extend our condolences to Jeff’s family and loved ones, and to the many across the spirit community who were influenced by his work.’
Webb’s family made the decision to take him off life support. He is survived by his wife, Gina Webb, son, Jeffrey, daughter, Caroline Webb Mason, brother, Greg Webb, sister, Jenna Webb Hill, and two grandchildren
Webb was regarded as a ‘mentor’ to Charlie Kirk who was assassinated on September 10 and was present at the White House when Kirk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Before Webb became an icon of cheer or a mentor to Kirk, he grew up in Dallas, as the son of an accountant with an oil company, according to the New York Times.
Webb joined his high school cheer team as a senior and later became a yell leader while a student at the University of Oklahoma.
At the age of 24, he founded the Universal Cheerleading Association, which would later become the influential Varsity Spirit organization.
His company was sold in 2014 for $1.5billion to a private equity firm, and he went on to the International Cheer Union, which he also founded.
Webb was driven to take cheerleading to the Olympics. After it received provisional recognition in 2016 from the International Olympic Committee, he said the announcement reflected “the culmination of my life’s work,’ according to the Times.
He is survived by his wife, Gina Webb, son, Jeffrey, daughter, Caroline Webb Mason, brother, Greg Webb, sister, Jenna Webb Hill, and two grandchildren.
