Today’s National Football League might look vastly different from when it was established in 1920. However, fans’ love and passion for the game remain the same, and that love extends to NFL mascots.
The NFL operates today as a sophisticated money-making machine, standing as the pre-eminent sports league in the United States. This is a far cry from the brutal, smash-mouth sport of a century ago. NFL teams actively use mascots to connect with their fan bases as part of the league’s ongoing marketing efforts and community outreach.
All but three teams, the New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, and the New York Giants, have a team mascot.
Most NFL mascots have been introduced within the last 25 years. In the mid-1990s, NFL Properties, the merchandising and licensing branch of the National Football League, created characters for the league-wide Team NFL Heroes mascot program, leading some teams to adopt these beloved mascots.
I am a massive fan of team mascots. Their over-the-top shenanigans and zany behaviors, all while wearing a massive foam head with a face that only displays one expression, continuously amuse me. I particularly like it when they get into faux fisticuffs with the opposing teams, whether it be during college or professional games.
That got me thinking: What are the origin stories of the different NFL teams’ favorite characters? Let’s kick off the journey!
1. Arizona Cardinals
Mascot: Big Red
Debut Year: 1998
The Arizona Cardinals franchise dates back to 1898, making it one of the oldest teams in the league. However, their mascot, Big Red, debuted 100 years after its inception in 1998.
Big Red is a cardinal-like bird, reflecting the team’s signature color. Initially, the team wore faded maroon uniforms, a shade that later became known as cardinal red.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Mascot: Freddie Falcon
Debut Year: 1984
Frederick “Freddie” Falcon has represented the Atlanta team since 1984. The team was represented by a live falcon named Thor, who would perform pre-game and halftime flying stunts for the crowd. After 15 seasons of representation, Thor escaped and was ultimately found later at a nearby Kraft plant. Freddie replaced the live falcon as the team’s NFL mascot in the mid-80s
3. Baltimore Ravens
Mascot: Poe
Debut Year: 1996
We all know that Edgar Allan Poe hails from Baltimore, so it only makes sense that the city’s team mascot is a Raven aptly named Poe. When first introduced, Poe was one of three raven mascots, alongside his brothers “Edgar” and “Allan.”
The trio not only paid tribute to Poe but also embodied distinct personalities, each symbolizing different types of NFL players. After the 2008 season ended, the team retired Edgar and Allan, leaving Poe as the sole mascot of the Baltimore Ravens.
4. Buffalo Bills
Mascot: Billy Buffalo
Debut Year: 2000
Billy Buffalo made his first appearance in 2000 at a Buffalo Bills home game in Orchard Park, NY. Standing at an impressive 8 feet tall, the American buffalo or bison sports “BB” on his jersey in place of a number.
Colleague and Buffalo resident Julia Fisher loves the Bills. She shared the following, “Every time something is happening in the community, like a food drive, a fundraiser, a marathon, whatever, Billy is there. He makes it a priority to visit with kids and special guests who might be there for Make-A-Wish or as guests of the team. It’s really sweet to see how much he’s involved in Buffalo culture.”
5. Carolina Panthers
Mascot: Sir Purr
Debut Year: 1995
After Charlotte, North Carolina, was awarded an NFL franchise in 1995, Mark Richardson, son of team owner Jerry Richardson, selected the team name and the colors black, blue, and silver.
The Panther mascot debuted that same year, donning jersey number 00. In 1996, the mascot sparked some controversy during a game between the Carolina Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers when he fell on a live ball after a punt.
6. Chicago Bears
Mascot: Staley Da Bear
Debut Year: 2003
Staley Da Bear joined the NFL mascots team in 2003 and serves as the official mascot of the Chicago Bears. Known as the friendliest and fuzziest of bears, Staley dresses in a customized team jersey. His name honors A. E. Staley, the founder of the Bears franchise in 1919.
Since then, he has appeared at various charity events, parties, Chicago Rush games, and numerous Bears-related activities. Staley has also made several television cameos, particularly during the team’s 2006 Super Bowl run.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
Mascot: Who Dey
Debut Year: Unknown
The Cincinnati Bengals mascot is Who Dey. Although the year that Who Dey made his initial debut is unknown, he is a beloved, playful figure at the games every Sunday. Clad in orange and white stripes, the Bengal tiger good-naturedly will harass the team’s weekly rival.
And, in case you didn’t know, “Who Dey!” is also the name of a chant shouted by Bengals fans.
8. Cleveland Browns
Mascot: Brownie the Elf and Chomps Swagger Jr.
Debut Year: 1946 and 2019
I’m always confused by which mascot represents the Cleveland Browns. Is it Brownie the Elf or Chomps Swagger Jr.? Apparently, it’s both of them. Chomps is a bull mastiff figure based on the team’s Dawg Pound and serves as the Cleveland Browns’ newest mascot starting with the 2019 season.
Cleveland adopted Brownie the Elf as its team mascot shortly after the franchise was founded in 1946. Brownie played a prominent role until the 1960s when his presence was downplayed. However, in 2022, fans voted on the midfield logo, and Brownie won fair and square.
9. Dallas Cowboys
Mascot: Rowdy
Debut Year: 1996
No, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders aren’t the official mascot of this NFL team. It’s Rowdy the Cowboy. The Cowboys have had Rowdy as their official mascot since 1996, with his tenure overlapping that of Crazy Ray, the team’s unofficial mascot from 1962 until his passing in 2007.
As the Ambassador of the Dallas Cowboys, Rowdy creates game-day excitement at AT&T Stadium by driving in on his four-wheeler, tossing t-shirts into the crowd, holding up signs like “Let’s Go Cowboys,” and playfully mocking opponents. In 2015, Sports Illustrated named Rowdy the “Most Hated NFL Mascot.”
10. Denver Broncos
Mascot: Thunder and Miles
Debut Year: 1993 and 1995
The Denver Broncos debuted their mascot, Thunder, an Arabian horse, on September 12, 1993. However, the original Thunder is no longer the mascot of the Mile High City NFL team. Thunder II has recently taken the reins and teamed up with Miles.
Miles is a white, horse-like anthropomorphic figure wearing an orange jersey and a flowy orange mane. He made his first appearance at the 1995 Pro Bowl as a Team NFL Hero.
11. Detroit Lions
Mascot: Roary
Debut Year: 1995
The self-described fun-loving mascot of the Detroit Lions is Roary. This lovable lion is often seen on the sidelines during the games and in the bleachers, roaring the team on. When he’s not doing his job during a game, fans can spot him around town bringing food to needy families and teaching children the importance of character.
Per the Detroit Lions mascot website, Roary’s dream job (if he can’t be a mascot) would be the King of the Jungle.
12. Green Bay Packers
Mascot: N/A
Debut Year: N/A
Despite being one of the oldest teams in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers don’t have a mascot. The team was named after two packing companies that have since gone out of business, but the name remained.
If you ask me, they should have, at the very least, a giant block of cheese as their mascot. I’m just saying…
13. Houston Texans
Mascot: Toro
Debut Year: 2001
The Houston Texans came into existence after the Oilers up and left the Gulf Coast town. Toro the Bull was born on April 21, 2001, corresponding with the zodiac sign Taurus. Toro dresses in Texans’ colors–red, white, and blue. And like many other NFL mascots, he has his own Facebook and X (Twitter) page.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Mascot: Blue
Debut Year: 2006
Blue, the blue colt sporting jersey number 00, made his debut on September 17, 2006, during the Colts’ first home game of the regular season against the Houston Texans, which the Colts won 43-24. The team was originally based in Baltimore, where their name paid homage to the region’s rich horse-breeding tradition.
According to the Colt’s website, Blue plays “center of attention,” wears the number 00, but is always #1 in your heart. His height can’t be determined because he won’t stand still long enough to be measured.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mascot: Jaxson De Ville
Debut Year: 1996
Jaxson de Ville has been the Jacksonville Jaguars’ mascot since the team’s inception. Sporting sunglasses, a Jaguars jersey, long shorts, and black and teal sneakers, Jaxson is known for his daring antics, including zip-lining and bungee jumping.
His energetic stunts have occasionally landed him in trouble, notably drawing criticism from Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian. In 2014, Jaxson sparked controversy during the Ebola crisis by holding a sign that read “Towels Carry Ebola” while holding a Terrible Towel, a symbol of the Jaguars’ opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
16. Kansas City Chiefs
Mascot: K.C. Wolf
Debut Year: 1989
The Kansas City Chiefs introduced K. C. Wolf as their official mascot in 1989, replacing Warpaint, a horse ridden by a man wearing a full Native American chief headdress from the mid-1960s. The team named K. C. Wolf after the “Wolfpack,” a group of passionate fans who sat in temporary bleachers at Municipal Stadium.
Beyond his football mascot duties, K. C. makes appearances at baseball games, community events, conventions, parades, grand openings, and more. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Mascot: Raider Rusher
Debut Year: 2013
The Raiders, formerly of Los Angeles and Oakland, relocated to Las Vegas in January 2020. Although the team joined the American Football League in 1960, it didn’t adopt a mascot until 2013.
Raider Rusher is a character from the animated series NFL Rush Zone, which was co-produced by the NFL and Nickelodeon. Once known for their outlaw image, the Raiders now use this character to create a more youth-friendly appeal. Nothing beats the zest and fandom of Raider Nation.
18. Los Angeles Chargers
Mascot: Boltman
Debut Year: 1995
Technically, the Los Angeles Chargers (formerly of San Diego) don’t have an official mascot. However, Boltman has portrayed the unofficial mascot from 1995 to 2018. Ramona, California, resident Dan Jauregui created the character but retired in 2018.
Sadly, Jauregui attempted to sell the costume and Boltman’s full intellectual property rights on eBay, but there were no takers.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Mascot: Rampage
Debut Year: 2010
Introduced in 2010, Rampage represents the Los Angeles Rams after several failed attempts to implement a mascot while in St. Louis, including a weird-looking rat, the team finally settled on a ram to join the ranks of NFL mascots.
Rampage was introduced to the public by throwing out the first pitch at a St. Louis Cardinals game in July of 2010. When the team moved back to L.A., Rampage continued to be the mascot.
20. Miami Dolphins
Mascot: T.D.
Debut Year: 1997
Of course, the Miami Dolphins would have a dolphin as the team’s mascot. T.D., which stands for, you guessed it, The Dolphin (not touchdown), made his debut in 1997. Then-coach Jimmy Johnson “signed” the 7-foot dolphin mascot as a free agent.
Before that, the team had a live dolphin mascot named Flipper, inspired by the popular 1960s TV show. They trained Flipper to leap out of the water after each Miami touchdown.
21. Minnesota Vikings
Mascot: Viktor
Debut Year: 2007
The Vikings introduced Viktor the Viking as their official mascot during the 2007 season after several failed attempts. Team officials wanted to create a mascot that would appeal to younger fans. Viktor, a muscular, blond-haired character, wears a #1 Vikings jersey, a large helmet with horns, and a yellow nose guard.
From 1970 to 1992, truck driver Hub Meeds served as the team’s unofficial mascot after security mistakenly let him onto the field during Super Bowl IV in New Orleans. After the incident, Meeds asked to be made the official mascot, but management declined.
22. New England Patriots
Mascot: Pat Patriot
Debut Year: 1995
You’d think by now that the Patriots would have Tom Brady as their mascot since he has hung up his cleats. Alas, they have not. That title belongs to Pat Patriot, who has been the New England team’s mascot since its inception in 1960.
A fun fact: In the 2017 Pro Bowl game, former New York Jets safety Jamal Adams tackled the unsuspecting mascot for laughs but nearly injured him instead.
23. New Orleans Saints
Mascot: Gumbo and Sir Saint
Debut Year: Gumbo (1998), Sir Saint (2009)
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints’ mascot, is a St. Bernard puppy inspired by a real dog gifted to the team by the Louisiana Restaurant Association in 1967, just before their first NFL game.
Even though Gumbo went into a brief retirement, popular demand brought him back. Another original mascot, Sir Saint, a helmeted character with a distinctive protruding jaw, made his comeback to Saints games in 2009 after being absent for several decades.
24. New York Giants
Mascot: N/A
Debut Year: N/A
As dull as ever, the New York Giants have yet to have a team mascot despite being a member of the NFL since 1925. The team derived its name from the New York baseball team, which had the same name, which was a common occurrence at the time.
25. New York Jets
Mascot: N/A
Debut Year: N/A
What is up with New York NFL teams lacking mascots? Where is the creativity? The pizazz? Given the dismal last few seasons, maybe it’s time they got one to lift fans’ spirits.
26. Philadelphia Eagles
Mascot: Swoop
Debut Year: 1996
The Philadelphia Eagles formed and joined the league in 1933 but didn’t adopt a mascot until 1993. Swoop is a white-headed bird who wears an Eagles jersey sporting the number 00.
Legend says that this lovable bird was hatched in the quiet Eagles Forest of Neshaminy State Park with poor eyesight and strength but a “strong and true” heart. Donning the Eagles jersey gave him the strength and power he needed to protect the Eagles community.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mascot: Steely McBeam
Debut Year: 2007
Like their fellow Pennsylvania team, the Pittsburgh Steelers joined the NFL in 1933 but didn’t debut a mascot until many years later. In 2007, Steely McBeam made his first appearance.
Paying homage to the city’s steelmaking past, Steely’s name was the winning entry of more than 70,000 submitted for a “name the mascot” contest.
28. San Francisco 49ers
Mascot: Sourdough Sam
Debut Year: 1994
Sourdough Sam, the San Francisco 49ers’ mascot, is a playful caricature of a 49er—a gold prospector who flocked to California during the 1849 Gold Rush, hoping to strike it rich.
The 49ers introduced Sourdough Sam in 1994, nearly five decades after the team joined the All-America Football Conference in 1946. His character ties directly to the team’s name and celebrates the pioneering spirit of California’s early settlers.
29. Seattle Seahawks
Mascot: Blitz
Debut Year: 1998
Blitz is the official mascot of the Seattle Seahawks, part of the National Football Conference in the NFL. This large blue bird made his debut on September 13, 1998, during the Seahawks’ home opener at the Kingdome in Seattle, Washington.
In 2014, the team introduced a second mascot named Boom, who serves as Blitz’s official sidekick. Boom features green eyes and hair, a backward Seahawks cap, and wears a number 00 Seahawks uniform.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mascot: Captain Fear
Debut Year: 2000
Captain Fear, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ mascot, is a caricature of a pirate in acknowledgment of the 17th-century swashbuckling buccaneers who marauded the Florida coast looking for treasure.
The captain, with his blue eyes and black hair, replaced Skully the Parrot in 2000.
31. Tennessee Titans
Mascot: T-Rac
Debut Year: 1999
As a Texan, I can remember when the Oilers left Houston and made their way to Tennessee and the hoopla surrounding their new name. However, for the life of me, I can’t understand why their mascot isn’t an actual Titan but instead represented by the state animal, a raccoon.
Don’t get me wrong, T-Rac is an adorable and lovable mascot who attended college at the Tennessee Academy of Fine Arts and Hysteria. Fans can find him frolicking in the many state parks Tennessee has to offer when not at a game.
32. Washington Commanders
Mascot: Major Tuddy
Debut Year: 2020
Major Tuddy is the mascot of the Washington Commanders in the NFL. This large anthropomorphic pig sports a combat helmet and a team uniform. Introduced during the team’s rebranding in 2022, he pays tribute to the Hogs, Washington’s legendary offensive line from the 1980s. The name “Tuddy” is a playful slang term derived from the abbreviation of “touchdown.”
Prior to the rebranding, the Washington team didn’t have a mascot.
