Two male Vikings cheerleaders don’t seem to be taking any of the backlash that they’ve gotten from some football fans to heart since the team announced their inclusion in the 2025 squad in a post on social media.
Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn will be members of the Vikings cheer team, which sparked criticism and even some fans threatening to not be fans of the team anymore.
However, Shiek seemed to address the controversy by poking fun at all of the people discussing him.
“Wait…did someone say our name?” Shiek wrote in a post on Instagram that included a photo of himself and Conn in their cheer uniforms.
The Vikings also responded to the controversy in a statement last week, defending Shiek and Conn.
“While many fans may be seeing male cheerleaders for the first time at Vikings games, male cheerleaders have been part of previous Vikings teams and have long been associated with collegiate and professional cheerleading,” the team said in a statement.
“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.”
The Rams are said to have been the first NFL team to include men on their cheerleading squad back in 2018.
Conn had been a member of the Iowa State Cyclones dance team before making the Vikings squad, according to Fox News.
While some fans have threatened to cancel their season tickets because of Shiek and Conn’s inclusion on the cheer team, the Vikings told NBC News that no fans have done so.
