Charlie Kirk’s Mentor Jeff Webb, the Father of Modern Cheerleading, Dies in Freak Pickleball Accident

Jeff Webb, the entrepreneurial force who transformed cheerleading from a sideline activity into a multibillion-dollar global industry, died March 19 at the age of 76. His death follows a traumatic head injury sustained during a pickleball accident earlier this month.

Webb’s passing was confirmed by Varsity Spirit, the company he founded in 1974. According to internal communications obtained from Varsity Spirit President Bill Seely, Webb suffered a severe fall while playing pickleball two weeks prior to his death. After sustaining critical neurological damage, his family made the difficult decision to remove him from life support.

Webb is widely credited as the architect of modern cheerleading. By founding Varsity Spirit, he shifted the discipline’s focus toward high-energy athleticism and competitive rigor. Under his leadership, the organization grew into a dominant commercial entity, eventually leading to his role as president of the International Cheer Union.

“Jeff played a pivotal role in shaping cheerleading as it exists today,” a Varsity Spirit spokesperson stated. “His impact built a community that has inspired generations of athletes globally.”

While his business acumen defined his professional career, Webb was also a significant figure in American conservative circles. He served as a primary mentor to Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA).

The bond between the two men remained a focal point of Webb’s later years, particularly following Kirk’s assassination during a Utah speaking engagement in September 2025. At the time of Kirk’s death, Webb publicly lamented the loss of a man he described as a “future president,” praising Kirk’s charisma and faith.

TPUSA honored Webb on March 20, releasing a tribute that characterized him as a “visionary leader” who believed deeply in the intersection of community and country. Webb’s involvement with the organization helped bridge the gap between corporate leadership and campus activism.

Despite his stature as a “legendary entrepreneur,” Webb’s children, Jeffrey and Caroline, remembered him as a dedicated soccer coach and a source of comedic relief within the family.

“To us, he was our mentor and father-daughter dance partner, our solace and our source of strength,” his children said in a joint statement.

Webb is survived by his wife, Gina; two children; his siblings, Greg and Jenna; and two grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made public.