The NFL’s first transgender cheerleader just dropped a bombshell. If you don’t know, her name is Justine Lindsay, and she was blunt while accusing the Carolina Panthers.
Lindsay claims she was fired from the Panthers Topcat cheerleading squad this past August. And she also made it crystal clear that it wasn’t her choice.
Justine Lindsay Claims Panthers Fired Her for Being Transgender
Lindsay made history in 2022 when she suited up for the TopCats as a respected cheerleader. The milestone it represented placed her as the first transgender person to make an NFL cheerleading team. But three seasons later, everything changed.
“I was cut because I’m trans,” Lindsay told Gaye Magazine during a recent livestream. She pushed back hard against any narrative suggesting she walked away as a volunteer.
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“Why the hell would I not wanna come back to an organization that I’ve been a part of for three years,” Lindsay added. The frustration in her voice was crystal clear like water.
Not surprisingly, the timing raises eyebrows. “It was like a big slap in the face to not only me but for the youth. And this was right after Trump became president,” Lindsay explained.
Trans cheerleader Justine Lindsay says he was cut from the Panthers because he was trans.
“I was done wrong… they wasn’t even looking at the bigger picture as far as who I was changing lives for… it was a big slap in the face to not only me but for the youth.” pic.twitter.com/FlI0ZlE2P1
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) November 24, 2025
Lindsay reportedly believes two factors contributed to her departure. One is Donald Trump’s election and the hiring of a new cheerleading coach she’d previously encountered at another organization.
She expressed that, despite the allegations, she doesn’t hold any hatred toward the Panthers. She said that she appreciates everything the team has done for her but feels she was treated unfairly.
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Lindsay also revealed the emotional impact of the situation, describing herself as devastated and hurt by how things unfolded.
What’s Next for Lindsay?
Lindsay isn’t stepping away from the spotlight. She’s currently working on a documentary and preparing to compete in the Miss International Queen 2026 pageant.
During her first year on the team, she said parents reached out to thank her for being visible. She feels the Panthers missed the broader impact of her presence.
However, the Panthers haven’t issued a statement addressing Lindsay’s specific allegations. Most surprisingly, this is the same franchise previously defended her addition in 2022, stating the TopCats selection process focuses on qualifications and abilities.
Although several NFL cheerleaders are openly gay, Lindsay’s departure leaves her as the league’s only known out transgender cheerleader.
But her impact remains legendary, as she broke a barrier that had long been closed. Whether the NFL will continue to open that door is still uncertain.
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