NFL's First Male Cheerleader Makes History with the New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints' first male member of the team's dance squad made history as the NFL's first-ever male cheerleader when he debuted with the Saintsations at the Superdome Friday, according to Nola.com

Jessie Hernandez, 25, who's been dancing since he was two, was the first male cheerleader to take to the field as the Saints faced off against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, but he is one of three men who joined the league this season.

In an interview with the New Orleans Advocate, his mother Tracey Hernandez, who drove from Lafayette, La. to witness her son's debut, said that she was proud of him. He's endured bullying and harassment since he became the first boy to make his high school dance team in his hometown of Maurice, La. years ago.

"Those people just need to get over it," Tracey Hernandez said. "We're in 2018. Things shouldn't be just for men or just for women. If you have the ability to do it, you should be able to do it."

Facebook comments on the feature story about Hernandez's mom were rife with homophobic comments calling Hernandez "Homo," "Pantywaist," and categorizing the Saints move to debut a male dancer as "Sick libturd bullshit."

As for fans at the game, Hernandez's debut appeared to go off without a hitch as he took the field in black skinny jeans and a black and white tee with a fleur de lis in the center.

Watch Hernandez's debut:

Here's Hernandez discussing his audition for the Saintsations last April: