Mom of Male Vikings Cheerleader Responds to Backlash: 'It Makes Me Sick'
The Minnesota Vikings and NFL teams increasingly include male cheerleaders; about one-third of teams now have male members, who face both support and homophobic backlash online.
- In reaction to online hate, the Vikings' two male cheerleaders posted a joint Instagram photo on August 16, 2025, captioned `Wait& Did someone say our name?` since facing homophobic backlash after May.
- Since 2018, the NFL has increasingly featured male cheerleaders, with roughly one third of NFL teams now including men, such as the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and Baltimore Ravens.
- The Minnesota Vikings said they `support all our cheerleaders`, and Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders Dalton Walsh and Alex Fan urged the pair to keep dancing despite unsupportive reactions.
- Kathleen Conn said the response has been difficult for her family, but she is proud of Louie Conn, and both he and Blaize Shiek have taken criticism in stride recently.
- Next month the Vikings open on September 8, 2025, with both Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn cheering; Shiek hopes to `represent and inspire`, discussing this on the Vikings' YouTube channel.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Mom of Male Vikings Cheerleader Responds to Backlash: 'It Makes Me Sick'
The mother of male Minnesota Vikings cheerleader Louie Conn has spoken out after her son’s inclusion on the team has been the source of major debate and conversation. Kathleen Conn admitted the overwhelming response to Louie’s hiring has been difficult for the family, including Louie himself, to ignore. “He’s 22. Of course he reads it all,” Kathleeen told The Minnesota Star Tribune in a story posted last week. Louie and fellow male Vikings che…
NFL Minnesota Vikings' male cheerleaders respond to football player 'f*ggot' insult: 'Wait… Did someone say our name?'
Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn have faced homophobic attacks online, with former NFL player Antonio Brown using a slur against Shiek The post NFL Minnesota Vikings’ male cheerleaders respond to football player ‘f*ggot’ insult: ‘Wait… Did someone say our name?’ appeared first on Attitude.
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