Pickleball has a reputation as a casual retirement hobby, but the founder of modern cheerleading just became the sport’s most high-profile casualty

Jeff Webb, a prominent Texas businessman known as the father of modern cheerleading and an early mentor to Charlie Kirk, died at the age of 76. His death came two weeks after he suffered a serious head injury during a pickleball game. He spent those two weeks on life support before succumbing to his injuries.

According to the New York Post, Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Charlie Kirk, posted a nearly 10-minute tribute to Webb, calling him “a dear friend to Turning Point USA and Charlie.” The group also stated, “He will be greatly missed.”

Webb was an early and influential mentor to Kirk, whom he first met when Kirk was just 24 years old. He recognized Kirk’s potential early on, praising his “amazing drive” and saying he was “overwhelmed with his maturity, his intelligence.” Webb believed Kirk possessed “so many incredible leadership qualities.”

Webb’s influence stretched from cheerleading competitions to the heart of conservative youth politics

Following Kirk’s assassination last year, Webb expressed deep sorrow, telling Real America’s Voice that Kirk “had it all – charisma, faith, respect for everyone.” He said the United States “may have lost a future president” in Kirk, and consistently described him as a “giant of the MAGA movement.” This comes at a time when Republicans are pushing controversial plans affecting senior retirement, making Webb’s death all the more poignant for conservative circles.

Webb observed that young conservative students often felt “isolated” from the traditional Republican establishment, and that Kirk’s message gave them “definition” and “hope.” He believed Kirk made them feel “that they were okay and what they stood for were good things.” Webb himself attended the ceremony where Kirk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Beyond politics, Webb’s legacy in cheerleading is significant. He founded Varsity Spirit in 1974 at just 24 years old, and championed the addition of more acrobatic and athletic elements into cheer routines, which fundamentally changed the sport. He was also instrumental in bringing cheerleading competitions to television across the United States.

Varsity staffers affectionately nicknamed the private jet Webb used for travel “Cheer Force One.” A spokesperson for Varsity Spirit confirmed his impact, stating that Webb “played a pivotal role in shaping cheerleading as it exists today.”

His death is a reminder that pickleball, often seen as a low-risk leisure activity, can carry real physical dangers. Athletes are no strangers to shocking injury setbacks –  Lindsey Vonn’s surprising recovery update after multiple surgeries showed how fragile athletic careers and physical health can be. Webb’s passing leaves a notable absence in both the cheerleading world and conservative youth activism.