11/25/1979 Denver Broncos NE Patriots Robin Williams First NFL Cheerleader Rare.

How Hollywood Icon Robin Williams Became The First Male NFL Cheerleader In History

In order to get footage for his TV show Mork and Mindy, Williams assumed the role of cheerleader during one professional football game in 1979

Few Hollywood actors elicit as many fond memories as Robin Williams. The exuberant comedian charmed audiences for decades with his humor and smooth delivery. One of his best known roles was that of Mork in the titular television show Mork and Mindy. It was because of this role that he was able to briefly serve as an NFL (National Football League) cheerleader for the Denver Broncos — the first man with such a distinction.

Williams began accruing Hollywood acting credits in 1977. He appeared on popular shows like Happy Days and Laugh-In, but Mork and Mindy became his first star vehicle. The comedy was a spin-off of the character he portrayed on Happy Days — an alien from another planet experiencing the fish out of water effect on earth along with his human friend Mindy.

Williams’ over-the-top quirkiness immediately made him stand out. These qualities were perfect for Mork, as the alien constantly found himself in impossible and hilarious situations due to his lack of familiarity with basic customs and expectations.

It was as Mork that Williams performed as a cheerleader during an NFL game for the Denver Broncos. As part of an episode, Mork, who lived in Boulder, Colorado bungled his way into the cheering gig with predictable hilarity ensuing. In order to get the necessary footage, the actor performed as a cheerleader during an actual live game.

On November 11, 1979, the Broncos hosted the New England Patriots in front of 74,000 fans at Mile High Stadium. When the Denver cheerleaders, who were known as the Pony Express, took the field, Williams was right there with them. However, he took the role literally. Dressed in the same ultra sequin mini skirt, white knee-high boots, fringed white glove, halter top and orange scarf he looked and acted the part. A significant difference was his substantial body hair that peeked out from his sparse outfit.

Yelling, “We’re gonna go out there and win this one for the zipper,” Williams was nearly indistinguishable from the professional cheerleaders. The crowd went wild for the unexpected guest performer. He may not have had the same background in cheering and dancing, but nothing he did held the Broncos back, as they obliterated the Patriots 45–10.

Although his time with pom-poms was short lived, Williams technically has the distinction as the first male cheerleader in the history of the NFL.

Sadly, the beloved actor passed away in 2014 as the result of suicide. He left behind a trove of memories from his various work in television and the movies, with perhaps his most unique being the day he was an NFL cheerleader