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Cheerleading Entrepreneur Dies After Pickleball Accident
Jeff Webb, who founded Varsity Spirit and mentored conservative activist Charlie Kirk, died from complications after a severe head injury sustained playing pickleball, Varsity Spirit confirmed.
- On Friday, Varsity Spirit confirmed Webb's death in a short video, saying he died following complications after a severe head injury sustained while playing pickleball.
- A 2024 New York Times Magazine feature credited Webb with pioneering gravity-defying cheer acrobatics and bringing competitions to television, after founding the Universal Cheerleading Association in 1974 at age 24.
- He mentored Charlie Kirk and was among those attending an October ceremony where Kirk received a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom after his September 2025 shooting.
- Turning Point USA on Saturday paid tribute to Webb as 'A dear friend to Turning Point USA and Charlie'; he is survived by his wife Gina Webb, son Jeffrey Webb, daughter Caroline Webb Mason, and two grandchildren.
- In interviews last year, Webb said the U.S. 'lost a future president,' referring to Charlie Kirk, and praised his ability to connect with young people, a trait cited in his mentorship.
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Cheerleading Pioneer, Charlie Kirk Mentor Jeff Webb Dead at 76
Texas businessman Jeff Webb, who helped turn cheerleading into a national competitive sport and later became known in conservative circles as an early mentor to Charlie Kirk, died March 19 at age 76 after suffering a severe head injury in a pickleball fall.
·Washington, United States
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Total News Sources23
Leaning Left5Leaning Right12Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Right
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Right
60% Right
L 25%
15%
R 60%
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