Jeff Webb, a Texas businessman known for reshaping modern cheerleading and mentoring a generation of young conservatives, has died at 76 after a head injury sustained during a pickleball game.
Webb passed away Friday, about two weeks after the fall. He had been on life support since the accident, according to reports.
A Sudden Loss
The circumstances of Webb’s death were unexpected. What began as a routine recreational game turned serious when he suffered a head injury that ultimately proved fatal.
Friends and colleagues described the loss as jarring, especially given Webb’s continued involvement in business and public life well into his later years.
Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, released a nearly 10-minute tribute video honoring Webb. The group called him “a visionary who helped shape generations of young leaders” and a close friend.
“He will be greatly missed,” the organization said in a statement.
A Mentor to Charlie Kirk
Webb’s influence in conservative circles often traced back to his early support for Kirk. The two met when Kirk was just 24, at a time when he was beginning to build what would become a national movement among young conservatives.
Webb later recalled being struck by Kirk’s maturity and drive.
“He had amazing drive,” Webb said in a past interview, pointing to what he saw as rare leadership qualities.
Their relationship grew into a mentorship that lasted years. Webb became a steady backer of Turning Point USA as it expanded across college campuses.
After Kirk’s death last year, Webb spoke openly about what he believed was lost.
“He had it all — charisma, faith, respect for everyone,” Webb said. He added that the country “may have lost a future president.”
Building a Movement for Young Conservatives
Webb often described Kirk as a unifying figure for students who felt out of place in traditional political spaces, especially on college campuses.
“They were isolated and Charlie’s message and his charisma gave them definition,” Webb said. “It gave them hope.”
Through conferences and campus outreach, Turning Point USA created a network where those students could connect. Webb saw that effort as one of Kirk’s most important contributions.
He remained closely tied to Kirk’s legacy, including attending a ceremony where Kirk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The ‘Father of Modern Cheerleading’
Long before his involvement in politics, Webb built his reputation in business and athletics. At 24, he founded Varsity Spirit in 1974, a move that would reshape cheerleading in the United States.
Under his leadership, cheerleading evolved from sideline support into a more athletic and competitive activity. Routines became more complex, incorporating tumbling and acrobatics. Competitions expanded and eventually reached television audiences nationwide.
A spokesperson for Varsity said Webb “played a pivotal role in shaping cheerleading as it exists today.”
His influence was so pronounced that colleagues gave his private jet a nickname: “Cheer Force One.”
A Legacy Across Worlds
Webb’s career didn’t fit neatly into one category. He moved between business, sports, and conservative activism, often linking those worlds through mentorship and leadership.
Those who knew him point less to any single achievement and more to his role in building systems and people, whether in athletics or politics.
His death leaves a gap in each of those arenas. For many, especially younger leaders, Webb was not just a figure behind the scenes but someone who helped open doors and shape direction at critical moments.
His life ended suddenly. His influence, by most accounts, will take longer to fade.
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What a terrible loss