Male Cheerleaders Make Super Bowl History

Two highly gifted athletes are set to make history at Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta on Sunday, but on the sidelines rather than the field of play. Napoleon Jinnies and Quinton Peron will become the first male cheerleaders to take part in America’s biggest sporting event when they perform for the Los Angeles Rams, who are taking on the New England Patriots.

The professional dancers are also the NFL’s first male cheerleaders and for Jinnies their achievements are a reflection of the diversity of the city they represent.

“We have a lot of people in Los Angeles from different cultures and different backgrounds, he said, “I think its really important that everyone on the team reflects that, from our boys on the field to the people on the sideline and even our cheer team.”

Quinton Peron, who first started dancing when he was 16, said he hasn’t been able to conceal his delight at the prospect of performing in front of an estimated American TV audience of more than 100 million. He told Reuters: “We are so happy to be here, the smile hasn’t left my face since we arrived.”

Their Super Bowl appearances will undoubtedly be career highlights for the pair, but the path to Atlanta hasn’t always been smooth. “I caught some flack. But if this is what you want to do, then do it because it’s your life,” Peron said.

“No one can live your life for you. Dream your dream, live your truth and if there’s something out there that you want to do, do it. Go out there, attack it and get it.” Those sentiments were echoed by Jinnies.

“You always have to have thick skin no matter what you’re going for. You just need to go for it.”