Broncos Beat the Vikings to NFL’s First Male Cheerleader — Thanks to Robin Williams
The NFL has been buzzing lately about the Minnesota Vikings adding two men to their cheerleading squad this season, marking a visible step in the league’s growing inclusivity. But as headlines celebrate the Vikings’ milestone, we here at IFD need to point out: the Denver Broncos actually got there first — by a mile high.
On November 11, 1979, before more than 70,000 fans at Mile High Stadium, Robin Williams — dressed as his character Mork from the hit sitcom Mork & Mindy — suited up with the Denver Broncos cheerleaders. In a sequined mini skirt and top, orange scarf, gloves, and white knee-high cowboy boots, Williams performed as the NFL’s first male cheerleader.
The stunt was part of a publicity push for Mork & Mindy, set in Boulder, Colorado, and it turned into one of the most unforgettable game-day moments in Broncos history. The game itself was just as memorable — Denver routed the New England Patriots 45-10.
While the Vikings’ male cheerleaders are now officially part of the team, Williams’ appearance was a one-time spectacle. Still, it cemented the Broncos as the first NFL franchise to feature a man on the cheer squad.
What started as a comedy stunt has now become part of a much bigger story about how the NFL evolves. From Williams’ tongue-in-cheek performance in 1979 to today’s permanent roster additions in Minnesota, the journey of male cheerleaders in pro football shows just how much the league — and its culture — has changed over the decades.
So next time the conversation turns to “firsts” in NFL cheerleading history, Broncos fans can proudly say: Denver was ahead of the game.
