Three work force have already broken barriers in the National Football League ’s 2018 - 2019 season as the first manly cheerleader in the plot ’s most century of existence . But two of those will be breaking another at this weekend ’s Super Bowl in Atlanta as they become the first ever manlike cheerleaders to take part in a Super Bowl . Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies will be on the sideline cheer on their squad as they take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII .
But it should be made clear that the conference has had Male on the sidelines with cheerleader before . The Baltimore Ravens , for illustration , vaunt that it has " the only co - ed stunt teamin the National Football League . " But the men on the sideline with the Ravens are , in result , stuntmen : heftiness - bound dudeswho hold the distaff cheerleader high up above their point and throw up them into the air only to deftly catch them as they crumble toward the ground .
The three man that joined the NFL ’s season this twelvemonth were not that . These men stepped through all the dancing stage dancing , break out those ultra - glary cheerleader grinning and doing all the regular " rah - rah " that has been associated with woman on football sidelines since someone first billow a pigskin . And two of them are going to the Super Bowl .
And now the NFL will never be the same . And that , very possibly , is the point of it all .
The Backstory
No mention of the NFL breaking down long - standing rampart can be complete without first mention the NFL ’s urgent want for a good public relations grievance . The most pop fun in America has been a PR mess for some time now .
A home firestorm over players resist racial injustice during thenational anthem , exacerbate by President Donald Trump’stweets , show no signaling of slow up down . keep concerns about player wellness and the event of concussions is also a very real problem , and one affecting the secret plan from peewee formal to the big league . Changing media dispersion modeling are affectingNFL ratings , at least giving the opinion that interest in the league is waning .
Even cheerleader have created some decidedly depressing news show for the league . In June 2018 , five of them sued the Houston Texans because ofmeager wages and a uncongenial work surround . The New York Times report that cheerleader for the Washington Redskins — that nameis another NFL mad tip — were postulate to go topless at a team function at anadults - only refuge in Costa Rica . In March , a Saints cheerleader file a ill with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after the squad fired her for fraternise with players andposting a risqué phototo her individual Instagram account .
With that backdrop , the NFL ask a footling in effect tidings . go in Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies , who stepped up as welcome plus to theRams cheerleadersand will again break barriers . ( And in New Orleans , theSaintsationsopened their arms to Jesse Hernandez . )
The conclusion of those two teams to smash this particular barrier this time of year was date as opportunistic by some , groundbreaking by others and about clip to still more , depending on views . For their part , the two clubs seemed intent on not arrive at too great a deal of it .
Perhaps , some propose , that was to nullify pointing out that the other squads that field cheerleading units — six of the 32 franchise , according to NFL.com , do n’t have official cheerleading squads at all — are all still all - distaff . ( The Ravens , who have the co - ed stunt squad , are all - woman when it number to the dance team . ) Very perhaps , dependable to the team dynamic , the teams only could be assay to keep the newcomers from publically outshine the respite of the squad .
" We are majestic that one of our new members Jesse Hernandez , like all of the other candidates , go through a very strict and thorough audition process … , " Ashley Deaton , the senior director of the Saintsations , state in a tamp - it - down statement via email . " Jesse was assess by a board of justice that deemed his talent justify a position on the team . "
These guys are , the teams want you to know , just part of the team . Even if they are the first of their variety .
The Pioneers
The first two man to make a splash were Peron and Jinnies , both professional dancers from California who land their jobs with the Rams — these are low - earnings , part - metre gigs with immense off - the - clock time dedication around the community of interests — earlier this class .
Peron , from Rancho Cucamonga , California , was see another iconic dance team from Southern Cal — the National Basketball Association ’s Laker Girls — when the thought strike him : " Why ca n’t I be down there ? " he toldGood Morning Americain March . He tried out a few days afterward .
Jinnies , from Santa Barbara , California , was there , too . He recounted the auditory modality cognitive process in talk to GMA .
" They were unlike anything I ’ve ever been to . I ’m used to getting a call [ shortly ] after , or an email , or not getting a call or an email,“Jinnies say . " This one was about three week long and we had a lot of dry run in between and an all-embracing interview physical process … It was really mortify and amazing … But it was deserving it . "
Not long after , Hernandez , a 25 - class - older from Maurice , Louisiana , get a message from his saltation - instructor mom pointing out the news about the Rams ' male cheerleaders . By April , Hernandez was trying out in New Orleans , contend against 50 women for 34 time slot and trying to become the first man in the history of the Saintsations .
thing have modify in the NFL . At least in small way of life . On the sidelines . And that ’s good .
" It ’s determine a new way of life . It ’s modify the creation . And that ’s exactly what I want to do , " Hernandez say . " And , hopefully , I can open that locale and that path for other male dancers . "
