Answer in brief
Male cheerleaders have been part of NFL teams since the early 1990s, with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders launching in 1972 being an early high-profile squad. While there is no single league-wide date, many teams began adding male cheerleaders in the 1990s and 2000s as coed and all-male squads became more common. Today, about two dozen of the 32 teams employ male cheerleaders, often called Gridiron or NFL cheerleaders, with each franchise setting its own audition rules, season schedules, and conduct policies.
How the NFL adopted cheerleading
Early roots and college origins
Cheerleading began in the late 19th century as an all-male activity at Princeton and other U.S. colleges. By the mid-20th century, it had become heavily female-dominated, but male participants remained, especially in collegiate and professional settings. The modern era of organized professional cheerleading in U.S. sports began in the National Football League with the formation of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 1972, though they were initially all-female. The first widely recognized male presence in NFL squads grew out of coed teams in the 1990s, blending tumbling, stunting, and dance for game-day performances and community appearances.
NFL teams adopt coed and male-only squads
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, several NFL teams expanded their rosters to include men, either by opening unisex tryouts or creating all-male specialty groups focused on tumbling and stunts. These groups often performed complex pyramids and acrobatic elements that aligned with modern cheerleading’s athletic standards. Over time, teams standardized practices around player safety, uniform guidelines, and paid compensation, though approaches still vary widely across the league.
Key examples and timelines
Documented timelines are limited because teams did not always publish roster histories, but league observers and club communications indicate that male cheerleaders became more visible from the 1990s onward. Some teams launched male-focused or coed groups during that period, while others added members gradually as part of broader squad expansions. Below is a breakdown of how a few teams reference these roles today.
Sample roster structure (illustrative)
| Team | Squad type | Typical size | Notes on male participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | Coed | ~35–48 | One of the earliest and largest professional cheerleading programs; includes male members. |
| New England Patriots | Coed | ~30–40 | Includes male cheerleaders; emphasizes dance, stunts, and community outreach. |
| Baltimore Ravens | Coed | ~30–38 | Features both male and female members; known for high-flying stunts. |
| Green Bay Packers | Coed | ~25–35 | Includes male cheerleaders; performs at games and corporate events. |
| New York Jets | Coed | ~25–35 | Features male members; combines dance, gymnastics, and team traditions. |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Coed | ~30–40 | Includes male cheerleaders; known for dynamic choreography. |
Modern audition and employment landscape
Today, roughly two dozen of the 32 NFL teams feature male cheerleaders, though exact roster counts and policies differ by franchise. Teams typically hold open tryouts or combine sessions that test tumbling, jumps, stunting, dance, and showmanship. Background checks, physicals, and professional interviews are common. Male cheerleaders sign seasonal contracts, often part-time during the NFL regular season, with opportunities for extended appearances at events, charity functions, and broadcast segments. Uniform rules, grooming standards, and conduct policies are enforced by each organization.
Ongoing changes and community dialogue
In recent years, some teams have expanded their rosters and clarified policies around pay, safety training, and representation. Athletes and advocacy groups have discussed working conditions, injury prevention, and fair compensation, leading to incremental updates in benefits and support resources. These evolving standards aim to align professional cheerleading with broader sports-industry best practices while preserving the performance and entertainment elements that fans expect.
Why the question persists
Because record-keeping varies by franchise and historical rosters are not always centrally archived, it is difficult to pin down an exact year when male cheerleaders first joined a given team or the league overall. Public schedules, highlight reels, and alumni interviews make it clear that men have been performing in NFL cheerleading squads for more than two decades, yet the landscape remains fragmented by team and by season. Understanding this history helps frame today’s debates over safety, pay, and representation in professional sports entertainment.
The bottom line
Male cheerleaders have been part of the NFL since the early 1990s, with roots in earlier coed and all-male college and pro teams. There is no single league-wide launch date, but the 1990s mark the period when most teams began formally including male members. Today, about half of NFL franchises field coed squads that include male cheerleaders, with each team setting its own rules, season length, and performance expectations. The role continues to evolve alongside broader conversations about athlete welfare and professional standards in sports entertainment.