In a refreshing move away from the controversies currently plaguing the NFL, this Sunday’s Superbowl will feature a history-making event. For the first time, two male cheerleaders will take to the field in support of their teams.
Napoleon Jinnies and Quinton Peron caused a stir in 2018 when they auditioned for–and made the lineup of–the Los Angeles Rams cheerleading squad. Both out-gay men, Jinnies and Peron wondered why equality of the sexes didn’t translate to the cheerleading team. Unbowed by precedent, the two decided to audition for the Rams’ squad.
Related: Quinton Peron and Napolean Jinnies, smashing the cheerleading glass ceiling
“This [audition was] about three weeks long and we had a bunch of rehearsals in between and an extensive interview process, but it was really humbling and amazing to be invited every time you came back,” Jinnies told Good Morning America in 2018. The addition of Jinnies & Peron made international headlines.
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Last year, Queerty honored the pair and their achievement as part of the Pride 50.
The inclusion of Peron & Jinnies will mark the first time in recent memory men have participated in an NFL cheerleading squad. The move will provide a breath of fresh air following on-field player protests against police violence against people of color.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick kicked off the protest in 2016 by kneeling during the national anthem. A number of other players followed suit, sparking a major controversy within the league. Throughout the 2018-2019 season, the league had approved a policy forbidding on-field protests and requiring players to stay in the locker rooms during the anthem as a form of protest. As a result, a number of musical artists declined the invitation to perform during the halftime show.
curiobi
Ah, bless. I wish them both well!
GayEGO
Terrific! They will do a great job and cheer the audience!
boymikefl
Oh America, these 2 (or at least 1) queen will be wearing long pants and the biological girls in mini skirts. So they’ll feel the breeze while our other sisters will be sweating their balls off. It will still look strange. Thank you Rams. I say the boys should wear metalic hot pants. Gold for Rams. Yaaas!
boymikefl
Ok, both queens.
Bob LaBlah
Thanks guys for helping me relive the days when I used to wish I were Toni Basil (Hey Micky). Good luck in your careers. Wish you all the best.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Good for them!
This news just made my Super Bowl extra super! Knowing that millions of hatefilled, vile, homophobic bigots are going to have their Super Bowl completely, utterly ruined! :-p