In Memoriam
Jeff Webb, Charlie Kirk’s Mentor and Cheerleading Entrepreneur, Dies After Freak Pickleball Accident
Jeff Webb, an influential cheerleading entrepreneur who founded Varsity Spirit, has died at age 76 after a reported freak pickleball accident.
While Webb was known for his influence on the world of cheerleading, he was also a mentor to Charlie Kirk, the right-wing influencer who founded Turning Point USA. Kirk was shot and killed at the age of 31 in front of a large crowd during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour on Sept. 10, 2025.
According to Cheer Daily, Webb died after falling while playing the booming racket sport. He sustained a severe head injury and was immediately hospitalized. Webb’s family later made the agonizing decision to remove him from life support.
“Join us in honoring the life and legacy of Jeff Webb, founder of Varsity Spirit and modern cheerleading,” Varsity Spirit wrote alongside a montage of Webb through the years shared via Instagram on March 19. “His impact has built a community that will continue to inspire generations to come.”
