Justine Lindsay, the NFL’s first openly transgender cheerleader, is claiming he was cut from the Carolina Panthers’ TopCats squad solely because of his transgender identity. In an emotional Instagram Live video, Lindsay said, “I was cut because I’m trans,” and pushed back on speculation that he left the team by choice.
“I don’t wanna hear nobody saying ‘She didn’t wanna come back.’ Why the hell would I not wanna come back to an organization that I’ve been a part of for three years?” Lindsay asked during the livestream, according to reports from Blavity.
Lindsay first joined the TopCats in 2022 and made headlines as the first transgender individual to be part of an NFL cheerleading squad. Despite his high-profile status and three seasons with the team, Lindsay now says he’s “devastated,” “stung,” and “hurt” by what he views as a discriminatory dismissal.
“I love them, I appreciate everything that they’ve done for me,” Lindsay added, stopping short of directly attacking the Panthers organization.
Interestingly, Lindsay had previously announced that he would not be returning to the squad for the 2024–25 season. At the time, he stated that his time in the NFL had been an “accomplishment” and a “stepping stone” to bigger platforms, such as competing in the global transgender beauty pageant Miss International Queen and filming a documentary about his life.
The Panthers have not publicly responded to the claims. However, the case raises questions about how far identity politics have penetrated professional sports—and what happens when the narrative shifts. Lindsay said he still hopes to inspire others, particularly trans youth, to pursue their goals regardless of obstacles.
