No matter what happens between the lines with the Rams and the Patriots in Atlanta on Sunday history will be made on the sidelines.
As the Patriots take the field at Super Bowl LIII, male cheerleaders Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies will be rooting for New England’s opponents, the Los Angeles Rams, alongside their female counterparts.
When Peron and Jinnies cheer for their team from the Super Bowl sidelines, they will be the first men to do so as professionals in the history of the NFL.
That said, they are from the first men to cheerlead as the sport actually started as nearly an exclusively male activity.
Either way, the presence of Peron and Jinnies at the Super Bowl may be an indication of where cheerleading is going – so here’s a look back at where it’s been with a collection of vintage photos from past Super Sundays.
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 22: The Cincinnati Bengals cheerleaders perform before the team took on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIII at Joe Robbie Stadium on January 22, 1989 in Miami, Florida. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 20-16. (Photo by Gin Ellis/Getty Images)
NFL
31 Jan 1993: A Buffalo Bills cheerleader performs during Super Bowl XXVII against the Dallas Cowboys at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys won the game, 52-17. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport
Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before Super Bowl XXX on January 28, 1996, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Peter Brouillet/Getty Images)
NFL
(Original Caption) New Orleans, Louisiana: Mimi Austin, Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, at the Super Bowl game in New Orleans, January 15, as the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos, 27-10. January 15, 1978.
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 03: Cheerleaders perform on the field prior to Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
26 Jan 1986: Halftime brings out some excitement in the form of lovely ladies onto the field of the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana during Superbowl XX where the Chicago Bears meet the New England Patriots. The Bears defeated the Patriots 46
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 29: The San Diego Chargers cheerleaders perform against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX at Joe Robbie Stadium on January 29, 1995 in Miami, Florida. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 49-26. (Photo by Joseph Patronite /Getty Images)
A Raiderette cheerleader, for the Oakland Raiders, on the sidelines during Super Bowl XI between the Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California, 9th January 1977. The Raiders won the game 32-14. (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images)
28 Jan 2001: A general view of the Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders performing during the Super Bowl XXXV Game against the New York Giants at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Ravens defeated the Giants 34-7.Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 19: The Super Bowl XIX Trophy is shown off by 49ers Cheerleaders during a celebration honoring Bill Walsh prior to a game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on September 19, 1993 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 37-30. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders perform during Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Patriots won their third Super Bowl in four years defeating the Eagles, 24-21. February 6, 2005 (Photo by Tim Tadder/Corbis via Getty Images)
UNDATED: The Cowboys Cheerleaders line up on the sidelines during Super Bowl X featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida on January 18, 1976. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – FEBRUARY 07: The New Orleans Saints cheerleaders perform during Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
30 Jan 2000: A Titans Cheerleader Performs On The Sidelines During Super Bowl Xxxiv Between The Tennessee Titans And The St Louis Rams At The Georgia Dome In Atlanta, Georgia. Mandatory Credit: (Photo By Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO – JANUARY 26: The Raiderettes perform during an intermission in Super Bowl XXXVII between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on January 26, 2003 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers won 48-21. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
3 Feb 2002: A St. Louis Rams cheerleader looks on during Super Bowl XXXVI between the New England Patriots and the St. Louis Rams at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17 with a 48-yard field goal by kicker Adam Vinatieri. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/Getty Images
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