Jonathan Romero retired from the 49ers and NFL, out gay cheerleader from the Super Bowl.
Jonathan Romero, a San Francisco 49ers cheerleader, has announced his retirement from the NFL. In announcing his retirement, Romero, a member of the 49ers’ Gold Rush squad, thanked everyone who had supported him. “Gold Rush, thank you for two amazing seasons,” he told Outsports and posted on Instagram. “I have opted to hang up the poms as I continue to pursue my educational and professional goals in my full-time employment, where I hope to carry on and share the Gold Rush spirit. “Thank you, 49ers, for allowing me to represent something greater than myself for two incredible seasons. Thank you to my bold and caring coaches, 49ers personnel including Laura Johnson, and all of the E2K staff for their support.
“I’m grateful to my gorgeous, bright, and talented teammates for treating me like a brother and pushing me to be a better guy on and off the pitch. Thank you, 49ers Faithful, for all of your support; you are the best fan base in the NFL. “Finally, thank you (young) Jonathan for seeing every no as an opportunity to push even further, for seeing every ounce of scepticism from your peers as a reason to fight harder for your aspirations, and for unashamedly being yourself even when the world tells you not to. I leave behind an incredible programme under the best NFL team, which I am really grateful to have been a part of. Cheers to pride, love, and breaking glass!
Romero was the only male cheerleader during Super Bowl LVIII earlier this year. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers in overtime.
While he is leaving his role with the 49ers’ Gold Rush cheer club, Romero does not rule out returning to the NFL sidelines in the future. “I’m only 23 years old, and I’m not sure where life will lead me,” Romero told Outsports. “I have goals beyond NFL cheerleading and dance. I’d like to achieve those goals. I’m currently devoting more time to myself, my family, and other professional facets of my life. While being one of the (still very few) openly gay male cheerleaders in the NFL may be difficult, Romero says his experience has been extremely beneficial. “I’ve felt nothing but love, and I felt nothing but love at the Super Bowl,” he told reporters. “I’m still alive.”
Some of that adoration has come from Anika, one of his teammates. “Johnny being on the team has been the most enriching experience,” Anika told Outsports on Super Bowl Opening Night in February. “He’s one of the best teammates I have. He offers a positive energy to every practice, no matter how exhausted we are or how long it has been. He has a positive attitude from beginning to end. And he crushes the dances on top of that. Romero is currently available as a choreographer for teams of all levels, from amateurs and high school to professionals.
