Jeff Webb, the founder of Varsity Spirit and a key figure in modern cheerleading, has died following a reported pickleball accident. The 75-year-old was hospitalized after suffering a serious head injury but did not recover. Webb's death has sparked widespread tributes and attention to his lesser-known role as a mentor to conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Webb publicly praised Kirk, saying, 'We may have lost a future president.' Kirk was assassinated in 2025 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. Webb's legacy includes founding Varsity Spirit and the Universal Cheerleaders Association, professionalizing cheerleading, and establishing global governing structures.
Varsity Spirit acknowledged his passing, saying, 'His impact has built a community that will continue to inspire generations to come.' Webb died on March 19 in Memphis, Tennessee, marking the end of a decades-long career that reshaped cheerleading into a global competitive sport.
