Last year, three men joined cheerleading squads for two NFL teams. The New Orleans Saints hired dancer Jesse Hernandez to be a Saintsation, and the Los Angeles Rams hired Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies to join their roster. In the past, squads for the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens featured stuntmen, but this marked the first time male cheerleaders danced alongside their female counterparts, wearing pants and T-shirts with colors matching the ladies' skimpy outfits.
On Twitter, some football fans were furious about this turn of events. Male cheerleaders?! What's next, Hooters guys, female presidents, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria?! In an interview with The Advocate, Jesse Hernandez' mom advised the haters to chill out. "Those people just need to get over it," she stated. "We’re in 2018. Things shouldn’t be just for men or just for women. If you have the ability to do it, you should be able to do it."
In an interview with Good Morning America, Napoleon Jinnies said making the Rams cheerleading squad was a "humbling and amazing experience." Quinton Peron agreed, stating, "I was at [an L.A.] Lakers game [before making the team] and I was watching the Laker Girls, and I was asking myself, 'Why can't I be down there?' I've choreographed for girls who dance on pro teams, I've danced with girls on various pro teams. I just thought, 'why not me?'"
This Sunday, the New England Patriots will take on the Los Angeles Rams at Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Georgia. After making league history as the first male NFL cheerleaders, Peron and Jinnies will make now Super Bowl history as the first male dancers to perform during the big game. On Twitter, Peron expressed his excitement, and shouted out his fellow squad member: "Aye Napoleon, you think Atlanta is ready for us? ... NAHHHHHH ???... WE’RE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL! ???"
Jinnies was also overjoyed about the news, "2018 first male cheerleaders in the NFL 2019 first male cheerleaders dancing at the Super Bowl. I ??can’t?? breath??"
To secure their Super Bowl spot, the Los Angeles Rams narrowly defeated the New Orleans Saints in the NFC championship game, 26 to 23. Many people were upset about the referee's controversial "no-call" decision, since alternate camera angles show Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman clearly interfering with Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis. In response, an eye care business in Covington, Louisiana offered free eye exams to the officials, which is pretty hilarious.
But let's get back to what's really important: the cheerleaders! Although Hernandez and the Saintsations won't be performing at the Super Bowl, Peron and Jinnies will be representing for NFL male cheerleaders. And if some football fans don't like it, they every right to express their displeasure. Maybe they should organize a peaceful protest, and take a knee during the cheerleaders' performance? I can't imagine that bothering anyone.
