The Minnesota Vikings’ male cheerleader Blaize Shiek appeared to take a dig at his critics after making his NFL debut.
A rookie member of the Vikings’ squad, Shiek is one of two male cheerleaders joining the sidelines ahead of the 2025 season, alongside Louie Conn.
Nonetheless, the inclusion of Shiek and Conn in the team has triggered surprising backlash from NFL enthusiasts, with a few Minnesota fans even considering canceling their season tickets.
But the duo blocked out the noise as they hit back at their detractors with a pointed comment in a social media post.
The beaming pair shared a photo of themselves waving their golden pom-poms as they posed in their cheerleading uniforms.
‘wait… did someone say our name?’ Shiek wrote in the caption, referencing the furor around their inclusion.
The Minnesota Vikings’ male cheerleader Blaize Shiek appeared to take a dig at his critics
Shiek and fellow male cheerleader Louie Conn took to Instagram to take aim at the critics
The pair made their debut on the field earlier this month when the Vikings commenced their preseason schedule against the Houston Texans at US Bank Stadium.
Although male cheerleaders have been part of the NFL since 2018, their rising presence in the league has led some fans to voice their discontent.
Yet, the Vikings also fired back at the critics, defending Shiek and Conn amid the ongoing controversy.
As stated by the team earlier this week, ‘While many fans might be seeing male cheerleaders for the first time at Vikings games, male cheerleaders have previously been part of Vikings teams and have a longstanding association with collegiate and professional cheerleading.’
‘In 2025, around one third of NFL teams include male cheerleaders. All members of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders program possess a notable dance background and underwent the same stringent audition process.
‘Selections were made based on their talent, dance passion, and commitment to enhancing the game day experience. We fully support all our cheerleaders and take pride in their ambassadorial role within the organization.’
The Vikings aren’t the only NFL team to have faced backlash over the past week over the male members of their cheer squad.
The New Orleans Saints also found themselves on the receiving end of outrage during preseason after announcing that they have hired more male cheerleaders ahead the upcoming season.
The two rookies were announced as members of the vikings cheer squad, sparking backlash
The New Orleans Saints also announced that they have hired more male cheerleaders
The Saints and Vikings are among 12 NFL teams to have male cheerleaders in their squads
The franchise confirmed that there will be a total of 13 men on the 2025 Saints Cheer Krewe Roster after three women were replaced following tryouts.
Joining the Saints and the Vikings, this season, the Panthers, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Colts, Titans, Patriots, 49ers, Eagles, Rams, abd Ravens will all feature male cheerleaders in their squad.
The Los Angeles Rams claimed to have made history in 2018 when they added Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies to their dance squad.
However, despite co-ed cheerleading squads becoming common practice in the league, some football fans still take issue.
But many within the sporting world have defended the male cheerleaders, including former Fox Sports analyst Joy Taylor, who mocked those critics.
‘So teaching kids (that) slavery was not a big deal is acceptable but male cheerleaders is where “conservatives” draw the line,’ she wrote on social media alongside three laughing emojis. ‘Also this isn’t new so as usual, OUTRAGE over nothing.’
