Louie Conn and Blaize Shiek make history as first openly gay cheerleaders for Minnesota Vikings
– 1 min read
American football team, the Minnesota Vikings, have made headlines with the debut of two openly gay male cheerleaders, Louie Conn and Blaize Shiek, during a recent pre-season match against the New England Patriots.
Conn and Shiek, both new additions to the Vikings’ cheerleading squad, responded to the attention with poise and humour. In a joint Instagram post, Shiek cheekily wrote, “Wait…did someone say our name?” - a nod to the buzz surrounding their inclusion.
The Vikings organisation issued a statement in support of the pair, reaffirming their commitment to diversity and inclusion: “Male cheerleaders have been part of previous Vikings teams and have long been associated with collegiate and professional cheerleading. We support all our cheerleaders and are proud of the role they play as ambassadors of the organisation.”
Shiek, who celebrated his rookie season earlier this year, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent authenticity and inspire others: “I am so grateful for this journey, the support, and the opportunity to make a little history along the way. I hope to represent and inspire what’s possible when you stay true to who you are.”
Conn, formerly a member of the Iowa State Cyclones dance team, brings a strong collegiate background to the Vikings. Together, the duo are helping to redefine the image of NFL cheerleading, joining a growing number of male performers in the league - a trend that began with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018.
