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The Vikings of Minnesota were criticized on social networks before the beginning of the preseason calendar because the team had two male cheerlers in their squad.
Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn have fired critics in publications on social networks.
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The Vikings animator of the Minnesota, Blaize Shiek, acts before the NFL 2025 preseason match against the New England patriots at the US Bank stadium on August 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty images)
“Wait … Does anyone say our name?” Shiek wrote on an Instagram post with Conn before the preseason game of the Vikings against the New England Patriots.
Shiek photos in a Vikings porrid uniform caused a frenzy and a debate about male animators in the NFL. The Los Angeles Rams were the first organization to have male animators, which occurred in 2018. The Baltimore Ravens also presented several men in their team of cheers.
The Carolina Panthers had the first transgender animator on their team until this year.
The Vikings released a statement in defense of Shiek and Conn.
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August 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; The animators of the Minnesota Vikings lead the crowd during the third quarter against the New England patriots in the US Bank stadium. (Jeffrey Becker/Imagn images)
“The male cheerleaders have been part of previous Vikings teams and for a long time they have associated with university and professionals,” the team told NBC News. “We support all our cheerleaders and we are proud of the role they play as ambassadors of the organization.”
It is Sheik’s first year as Vikings cheerleader. He shared a publication in May, celebrating his rookie season.
“Excited and honest to share that I am officially a 2025-26 animator from the Minnesota Vikings!” He wrote on social networks. “I am very grateful for this trip, the support and the opportunity to make some history on the way. I hope to represent and inspire what is possible when you stay faithful to who you are.”
The Vikings cheerleader of the Minnesota, Louie Conn, aligns with the cheerleaders in the first quarter during the NFL Prineation 2025 game between the New England patriots and the Vikings of Minnesota at the USBANK Bank stadium on August 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty images)
Conn was part of the Iawa state cyclones dance team before joining the Vikings this season.
