History is in the making for the Super Bowl this Sunday, not only on the field but on the sidelines, as the first male cheerleaders will be performing.
California natives and now LA Rams cheerleaders Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies will be turning heads and busting down stereotypes as they cheer alongside their female colleagues.
Peron and Jinnies made the Rams cheerleading team in March, becoming the first male cheerleaders to break their way into the National Football League.
While there has been male stunt teams in the NFL and male cheerleaders at collegiate levels before, this will make history for men across the globe to pursue their chances of being on the field with other hard-working athletes.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Peron excitably states “I think we can both say we have both been reached out by so many men that are so excited to try out, not just men our age but young men trying out for their junior high school dance team or cheer team.”
“It’s exciting to see society change a little bit,” he said.
Jinnies called making the team a “humbling and amazing” experience.
Peron, a professional dancer for years and been a part of cheerleading in both high school and college, ignited his interest in NFL cheerleading while at a Lakers game.
He passionately watched the cheerleaders and questioned why he couldn’t be on the sidelines with them.
Peron being so experienced with dance and choreography felt like there was nothing stopping him, and luckily he chased after his dreams.
Jinnies, a freelance makeup artist, beauty blogger, and professional dancer for 12 years is accustomed to the competitiveness that comes with cheerleading and dancing.
Before he took the field he was on an even bigger team, Team USA, winning a gold medal with his teammates.
The successful combo had been friends since their college days and were pleased to run into each other at auditions for the team.
When news broke that two African-American men will be performing, LA Rams cheer captain and coach, Emily Leibert boasts about her new teammates on GMA.
“They really just fit the bill to be a Los Angeles Rams cheerleader, they bring so much energy and there’s something magnetic about their performance,” Leibert states.
Jinnies and Peron have been receiving a tremendous amount of support and love from the LA community and friends.
Super Bowl LIII will be full of firsts as the Rams will compete for the Super Bowl title in 17 years.
Get your LA gear ready as the Rams take on the New England Patriots this Sunday, Feb. 3. and keep an eye out for the new cheerleaders on the sideline.
