The NFL’s first male cheerleader was none other than Robin Williams

Robin Williams was the rare type of entertainer who could captivate audiences regardless of race, gender or orientation. His sense of humor was absurd, carefree and daring in a way other comedians simply weren’t.

Whether it was playing an alien in “Mork & Mindy” or a former president in “Night at the Museum,” Williams never held back.

The legendary actor and comic icon even crossed over into the world of NFL football in the late 1970s, but not in the way one would expect.

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On November 11, 1979, Robin Williams performed as the first male cheerleader for the Denver Broncos during their game against the New England Patriots.

Though “performed” may be a stretch.

The star combined traditional cheerleader attire with his Mork costume that he wore in the aforementioned classic sitcom. The NFL liked to bring in gaudy entertainment and spectacular halftime acts to grow the game during the decade, a time in which the league arguably surpassed MLB as the most popular sport in the United States.

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Williams’ participation as a Broncos cheerleader was inspired by a man actually trying out for the Miami Dolphins’ cheer squad the season before.

In 1978, Glenn Welt was the first man known to have tried out to be an NFL cheerleader. He was denied, but it became a big national story leading to a spoof on “Mork & Mindy” of Welt’s tryout… and to Williams’ appearance with the Broncos.

Williams’ performance is timely to talk about today, especially since one of the biggest headlines of the year included the Minnesota Vikings hiring male cheerleaders on their cheer squad.

Lots of male cheerleaders in the NFL today

Unlike Williams’ one-off night in a dress and cowboy boots, the men on the Vikings’ cheer team are permanent and ruffled more than a few fans’ feathers during the fall. Old traditions seem to run deep through some people’s brains, as they get upset about things that today certainly aren’t a big deal.

The NFL had 71 male cheerleaders across 11 different teams at the beginning of the 2025 season. After the controversy with the Vikings, a spotlight was placed on the profession in general and whether men should be allowed to wave pom-poms on an NFL field.

The Broncos of 2025 have no male cheerleaders.

If Robin Williams could be a cheerleader — even for a single entrance onto an NFL field — nearly 50 years ago, why can’t actual male cheerleaders make a career of the activity without some fans complaining on social media?

Williams’ bombastic self-expression was always going to be more accepted, whether it was back then or now, because he was a comedian and was garnering laughs with it.

Unlike Williams, the male cheerleaders of today go home knowing they will have to put up with undue criticism just for doing what they’re passionate about.

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