The NFL’s first openly transgender cheerleader revealed she has quit the Carolina Panthers’ TopCats squad, just days before the new season.
Justine Lindsay joined the Panthers team in 2022 and cheered on the players from the sidelines for the last three years.
Nevertheless, Lindsay has now decided to step away from the squad in order to focus on other projects.
The 32-year-old told Outsports she is looking to turn her attention to pageantry work.
“For now, I’m focusing on my pageantry work and community involvement, striving to be recognized not just as an NFL cheerleader, but as someone making a positive impact, especially during these uncertain times,” she said.
“Being in the NFL was a stepping stone to get me where I need to be, and God is blessing me each and every day.
“My focus is to educate and uplift the younger generation of leaders to focus on their dreams and goals.”
Lindsay also took a shot at current United States president, Donald Trump.
She said: “Don’t let a president who is delusional stop them from reaching their goals whether they are trans, African American, not American.”
Lindsay eyes career change
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While the Panthers are yet to make a public comment on the latest development, Lindsay revealed she is looking to take up a new career.
The dancer revealed she is currently trying to become a sportscaster, hoping to return to the sidelines with a microphone in the near future.
She told Outsports: “I’ll see you all next year on a football field, either conducting interviews or on the sidelines showing off my dance skills.”
Minnesota Vikings add men to cheerleading team
In other cheerleading news, the Minnesota Vikings have recently added two male dancers to their squad.
The news split the Vikings fanbase, with some loving the new additions, while others having the opposite opinion.
The news even reached current United States Senator Tommy Tuberville, who is worried the NFL may lost its masculine image.
In a conversation with OutKick, the Donald Trump backer said: “I would like to ask the ownership of the NFL and the commissioner, what the hell are you doing?
“If you’re going to be woke, and if you’re going to try to take the men out of men’s sports, which is what they’re doing, they’re trying to take gender and try and make it more about gender than about masculinity, then you’re going to have a huge problem.
“You can see Minnesota doing it, they’re one of the blue states, we’ve lost them, and they’re more into socialism and it’s about 150 genders. But at the end of the day, I hope to God it doesn’t come South.”
READ MORE: MINNESOTA VIKINGS’ MALE CHEERLEADERS HIT BACK AFTER NFL FANS THREATEN TO CANCEL SEASON TICKETS
