A post shared by Quinton Peron (@itsaquintonthing)Quinton Peron is a trailblazer and Super Bowl champion. Five years ago, the Los Angeles Rams hired him as one of the first two male cheerleaders in modern NFL history, and he’s used his platform as a launching pad towards stardom ever since.Peron has worked two Super Bowls–he was one of five out gay male Rams cheerleaders who joined the team last year for their win over the Cincinnati Bengals–and just finished a stint on CBS’ “Amazing Race.” While Peron is now retired from the sidelines, he works as a choreographer for at least 12 NFL and NBA teams, including the Rams and NBA champion Golden State Warriors.Today, there are dozens of male cheerleaders across the NFL, and an out transgender cheerleader as well.
It’s fair to say that Peron started a movement.A post shared by Quinton Peron (@itsaquintonthing)We caught up with Peron for our Time Out interview series, and talked about his passion for dance, favorite memories from the NFL and where he’s heading next.A post shared by Quinton Peron (@itsaquintonthing)Here’s what he had to say…QUEERTY: How did it feel to suit up every Sunday and cheer for the Rams?QUINTON PERON: It’s something I’m so proud of.
I went into every game and practice with my all. Naturally, I miss it right now. I’m not performing as often. I’m choreographing, but I’m not the one on the field doing the routine.
But it was an honor, and it’s crazy to know that something I did on a whim four years ago, now there’s like 45+ men across the league.