By Seth Berkman, Stacker
There aren’t any Nationwide Soccer League groups within the merry outdated land of Oz, however there are Lions, Bengals, and Bears. The NFL has 32 groups, every with a novel story about the way it got here to be. Fan contests selected some names, whereas others had ties to former skilled sports activities groups. There may be an abundance of animal names and different monikers steeped in a wealthy historical past. Others, just like the Washington Commanders (rebranded from the Redskins in 2022) and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, have drawn controversy and protests for years.
For 100 years, the Arizona Cardinals saved the identical nickname, because the workforce moved from Chicago to St. Louis for the 1960-1961 season, then to Arizona in 1988. That’s the place the Cardinals stay at present. Because the NFL acquired older, relocation grew to become a standard prevalence. Nonetheless, it’s vital to know the intricacies of how franchises in Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Baltimore are all intertwined (and even how the Baltimore Ravens tried to purchase the Indianapolis Colts’ identify, regardless of having no earlier ties to the franchise).
Stacker delved into the story behind each NFL soccer workforce identify. Total workforce data, additionally included, are reflective of NFL regular-season video games. There are some soccer groups with well-known nicknames—the Jets, as an example, are sometimes called Gang Inexperienced—however we additionally reveal how some groups’ official names are used sparingly. The Jets’ neighbors, the Giants, are sometimes known as the New York Soccer Giants to tell apart them from a baseball franchise that has lengthy since moved to San Francisco. Typically, a workforce identify can inform you a large number about native historical past: The Vikings of Minnesota draw upon the world’s robust ties to Scandinavia, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are dripping in native legend associated to Florida’s pirate previous.
Let’s kick off the countdown with the parents who earned their nickname by shopping for containers of used workforce jerseys.
Christian Petersen // Getty Photographs
Arizona Cardinals
– 12 months based: 1920– Total report: 577-777-41– Earlier workforce names: Chicago Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals, Phoenix Cardinals
Regardless of areas in three cities, the Cardinals have saved the identical identify for nearly 100 years. The workforce initially purchased used soccer jerseys from the College of Chicago, clothes that light over time. Chris O’Brien, the workforce’s founder, named the brand new shade “Cardinal red.” The Cardinals have by no means received a Tremendous Bowl, coming closest with the combo of championship-veteran quarterback Kurt Warner and dynamic receiver Larry Fitzpatrick in the course of the 2008 season. That NFC title run ended with a Tremendous Bowl XLIII loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kevin C. Cox // Getty Photographs
Atlanta Falcons
– 12 months based: 1966– Total report: 376-483-6
Within the Nineteen Sixties, the American Soccer League and the NFL had been interested by including a workforce in Atlanta. Earlier than the NFL launched the franchise in 1966, a naming contest was held, and Julia Elliott, a neighborhood instructor, selected the identify “Falcons” as a result of “the falcon is proud and dignified, with great courage and fight. It never drops its prey. It is deadly, and has a great sporting tradition.” The road “never drops its prey” is sort of ironic—in Tremendous Bowl LI, the Falcons led quarterback Tom Brady’s New England Patriots 28-3, solely to surrender 31 unanswered factors, and lose the sport.
Patrick Smith // Getty Photographs
Baltimore Ravens
– 12 months based: 1996– Total report: 233-183-1
Shortly after Artwork Modell moved his soccer workforce from Cleveland to Baltimore, panel discussions, focus teams, and fan polls had been held to provide you with a brand new identify. Ravens, which attracts upon a well-known Edgar Allan Poe poem, was a constant selection. Poe lived and died in Baltimore, the place the Ravens have celebrated two Tremendous Bowl wins.
Maddie Meyer // Getty Photographs
Buffalo Payments
– 12 months based: 1960– Total report: 449-492-8
A Buffalo soccer membership within the All-America Soccer Convention was named the Bisons, however in 1947, a renaming contest was held. The identify Payments was chosen after Buffalo Invoice Cody, and 13 years later, when Buffalo positioned a workforce within the AFL, Buffalo Payments was saved intact. The Payments famously reached 4 consecutive Tremendous Bowls within the early ’90s however misplaced all of them to NFC East groups–first to the New York Giants, then to Washington, adopted by back-to-back defeats to the Dallas Cowboys.
Mike Ehrmann // Getty Photographs
Carolina Panthers
– 12 months based: 1995– Total report: 205-227-1
The Richardson household, who initially owned the Panthers, got here up with the workforce’s identify earlier than their 1995 debut. They selected black, blue, and silver as the colours to create synergy with the identify. The Panthers have reached two Tremendous Bowls, however are nonetheless awaiting their first world championship.
Joe Robbins // Getty Photographs
Chicago Bears
– 12 months based: 1920– Total report: 783-610-42– Earlier workforce names: Decatur Staleys, Chicago Staleys
The Bears have been with the NFL since its begin, despite the fact that they had been initially known as the a lot much less fearsome nickname of the Staleys. In line with the franchise, the workforce’s identify switched to the Bears on Jan. 28, 1922. A.E. Staley, the franchise’s former proprietor, transferred the workforce to George Halas in 1921, promising to maintain the identify as Staleys for one yr. Since then, the Bears have received 9 league championships and, most not too long ago, one Tremendous Bowl title with one of the dominant defenses of all time, in 1985. Chicago has additionally despatched essentially the most gamers to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
Tom Szczerbowski // Getty Photographs
Cincinnati Bengals
– 12 months based: 1968– Total report: 373-459-5
At first, the brand new AFL workforce in Cincinnati thought-about calling themselves the “Buckeyes,” however the identify’s robust ties to Ohio State College canceled that concept. Paul Brown, an investor within the workforce, thought Bengals was a becoming nod to former soccer groups from the Cincinnati space. The Bengals reached two Tremendous Bowls within the ’80s however fell each instances to the Joe Montana-led San Francisco 49ers. Led by younger franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, the franchise received the AFC title in 2021 however fell to the Los Angeles Rams in Tremendous Bowl LVI.
Andrew Weber // Getty Photographs
Cleveland Browns
– 12 months based: 1950– Total report: 494-514-11
Earlier than the Browns had been born, a contest was held to call the brand new workforce. A popular suggestion was the Browns, after Paul Brown, who was already revered within the state of Ohio. It took some convincing, however Brown lastly relented and allowed the franchise to make use of the Browns identify. The Browns collected a number of titles within the Fifties and another within the Nineteen Sixties, however for the reason that introduction of the Tremendous Bowl, they haven’t performed for one more league championship.
Ronald Martinez // Getty Photographs
Dallas Cowboys
– 12 months based: 1960– Total report: 538-403-6
Noticing their well-traveled fan base in a number of opponents’ stadiums within the ’70s, NFL Movies dubbed them “America’s Crew“. As we speak, the Dallas Cowboys–love them or hate them–are essentially the most precious franchise in sports activities, estimated by Forbes to be price a whopping $8 billion. The identify got here to be after the Cowboys had been initially going to be known as the Rangers. However the existence of a serious league baseball workforce in Arlington, Texas, with the identical identify led to a change to keep away from confusion. Since then, Dallas has been one of many NFL’s most profitable franchises, successful 5 Tremendous Bowls within the ’70s and ’90s.
Dustin Bradford // Getty Photographs
Denver Broncos
– 12 months based: 1960– Total report: 495-444-10
After Denver was awarded a brand new AFL franchise, town held a contest to call the brand new membership. The identify Broncos, which was additionally the identify of a Colorado baseball workforce a long time earlier, was chosen because the winner. Since then, the Broncos have turn into part of Denver tradition–there’s even a legendary bronco-like statue on the metropolis’s well-known airport–and have received three Tremendous Bowls.
Leon Halip // Getty Photographs
Detroit Lions
– 12 months based: 1930– Total report: 570-694-34– Earlier workforce names: Portsmouth Spartans
In line with the e book “The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr,” Detroit’s NFL workforce got here to be often known as the Lions as a counterpart to the metropolis’s current baseball workforce, the Tigers. A workforce spokesman later mentioned, ”The lion is monarch of the jungle, and we hope to be the monarch of the league.” The Lions received 4 NFL championships pre-AFL/NFL merger however have by no means reached a Tremendous Bowl.
Stacy Revere // Getty Photographs
Inexperienced Bay Packers
– 12 months based: 1921– Total report: 782-581-38
Inexperienced Bay’s soccer workforce was sponsored by native packing corporations, therefore the identify Packers. The Packers have received 4 Tremendous Bowls, together with the primary two, one within the ’90s, and one other in 2010. They’re among the many most profitable and in style groups within the league. Locals additionally typically seek advice from themselves as “cheeseheads” for sporting foam cheese hats to video games at Lambeau Discipline.
Tim Warner // Getty Photographs
Houston Texans
– 12 months based: 2002– Total report: 139-182-0
Houston’s growth soccer franchise performed months of analysis into devising a workforce identify. 5 candidates had been thought-about—Apollos, Bobcats, Stallions, Texans, and Wildcatters. Texans had been chosen because the winner, with a stay ceremony on ESPN2. The workforce has made 5 playoff appearances, all inside the previous decade, however has but to succeed in a Tremendous Bowl.
Jamie Squire // Getty Photographs
Indianapolis Colts
– 12 months based: 1953– Total report: 543-481-7– Earlier workforce names: Baltimore Colts
Like many sports activities groups, the Colts had been named because of a fan contest. The workforce ultimately moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis, however when soccer returned to Baltimore in 1996, the workforce that may ultimately turn into the Ravens tried to purchase the rights to the Colts’ nickname for $5 million. The Indianapolis Colts didn’t change names and received the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl in Indianapolis–and second total–underneath head coach Tony Dungy in 2006.
Stephen Pond // Getty Photographs
Jacksonville Jaguars
– 12 months based: 1995– Total report: 180-253-0
In 1993, Jacksonville resident Ray Potts received a naming contest for town’s new NFL workforce along with his entry of Jaguars. Potts received season tickets for his selection and a visit to the Tremendous Bowl. The Jaguars have performed a number of exhibition and common season video games in London, however have but to succeed in a Tremendous Bowl.
David Eulitt // Getty Photographs
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
– 12 months based: 1960– Total report: 507-430-12– Earlier workforce names: Dallas Texans
Kansas Metropolis’s new soccer workforce in 1960 undoubtedly wanted a reputation change–the franchise’s earlier identify, the Texans, was not going to fly in Missouri. Former Kansas Metropolis Mayor H. Roe Bartle was nicknamed “Chief,” and, as a nod to his efforts to deliver the previously Dallas Texans to his metropolis, workforce possession named the workforce Chiefs.
The Chiefs received Tremendous Bowl IV in January 1970 to finish their 1969 season. In 2020, led by younger quarterback Pat Mahomes, they might win their second world championship, beating the San Francisco 49ers in Tremendous Bowl LIV.
Wesley Hitt // Getty Photographs
Las Vegas Raiders
– 12 months based: 1960– Total report: 491-447-11– Earlier workforce names: Los Angeles Raiders, Oakland Raiders
In 2020, the Raiders formally made Las Vegas their dwelling after 60 years of bouncing between Oakland and Los Angeles. Initially, the workforce was going to be known as the Oakland Señors, however the identify and the deliberate orange-and-black uniforms weren’t nicely acquired. As a substitute, the Raiders’ emblem and silver-and-black outfits have turn into one of many iconic appears in skilled sports activities. The franchise remains to be recognized for the late head coach John Madden, who lent his voice and likeness to the most well-liked NFL online game collection of all time.
Donald Miralle // Getty Photographs
Los Angeles Chargers
– 12 months based: 1960– Total report: 468-470-11– Earlier workforce names: San Diego Chargers
In 2017, the Chargers left San Diego for Los Angeles, with plans to play in a brand new stadium within the space in 2020. Frank Leahy, the Chargers’ first common supervisor, appreciated the “Charge!” bugle chant at USC video games and recommended the identify Chargers. After they nonetheless resided in San Diego, the Chargers reached the Tremendous Bowl to cap the 1995 season and misplaced to the San Francisco 49ers.
Sean M. Haffey // Getty Photographs
Los Angeles Rams
– 12 months based: 1937– Total report: 599-580-21– Earlier workforce names: Cleveland Rams, Los Angeles Rams, St. Louis Rams
The Rams’ identify, first coined in tribute to the robust Fordham Rams faculty soccer groups from the Nineteen Thirties, has stayed the identical via a number of strikes. The Rams had been additionally the primary workforce to put on a emblem on their helmet, the now-famous Ram horns. These helmets had been victoriously worn by the “Greatest Show on Turf” workforce in Tremendous Bowl XXXIV, however they misplaced the Tremendous Bowl in 2019 to the New England Patriots.
Maddie Meyer // Getty Photographs
Miami Dolphins
– 12 months based: 1966– Total report: 476-385-4
In line with the e book “The Power of a Name: The Origin of Professional Sports Team Nicknames and Their Most Valuable Players,” the identify Dolphins was chosen in a fan contest. The winner reportedly acquired two lifetime passes to dwelling video games. As well as, proprietor Joe Robbie appreciated the identify as a result of “the dolphin is one of the fastest and smartest creatures in the sea.” The 1972 Dolphins, if not the quickest and smartest, had been definitely one of the best workforce in soccer, posting the NFL’s solely excellent season that included a Tremendous Bowl victory.
Adam Bettcher // Getty Photographs
Minnesota Vikings
– 12 months based: 1961– Total report: 503-421-11
The identify Vikings was an apparent selection for the NFL’s new workforce in Minnesota, given the state’s massive variety of residents with Scandinavian heritage. Different potential monikers had been the Miners, Chippewas, and Voyageurs. The Vikings’ well-known horn and “Skol” chant at dwelling video games have turn into franchise staples, distinguished within the membership’s most notable moments, like after Stefon Diggs scored the game-winning landing in a 2018 divisional playoff sport.
Maddie Meyer // Getty Photographs
New England Patriots
– 12 months based: 1960– Total report: 529-411-9– Earlier workforce names: Boston Patriots
Many ideas for the Boston space’s AFL workforce had been traditionally themed. Minutemen and Colonials had been choices, however the identify Patriots was hottest in a fan-entry contest. Greater than only a spirited band of rebels, the Patriots underneath head coach Invoice Belichick have developed into one of many NFL’s preeminent franchises. After a drubbing by the hands of the ’85 Bears, the Pats have received all six of their Tremendous Bowls since 2001.
Wesley Hitt // Getty Photographs
New Orleans Saints
– 12 months based: 1967– Total report: 396-450-5
New Orleans was awarded an NFL franchise on Nov. 1, 1966—All Saints’ Day—therefore the workforce’s identify. For a lot of their historical past, the Saints had been bumbling towards the underside of the NFL—referred to by some followers because the “Aints”—however with Drew Brees because the quarterback, they received their first Tremendous Bowl in 2010.
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New York Giants
– 12 months based: 1925– Total report: 706-631-33
For a lot of the Giants’ early existence, there have been two skilled groups in New York with that identify: baseball and soccer. In 1937, the NFL’s Giants formally modified their identify to the New York Soccer Giants to tell apart themselves from the baseball workforce. Sometimes, announcers will use the total identify so as to add a bit of pomp. The Giants have additionally known as themselves Tremendous Bowl champions on 4 events, together with an upset of the undefeated New England Patriots, after the underdogs misplaced to the AFC champs to shut the 2007 common season.
Joe Robbins // Getty Photographs
New York Jets
– 12 months based: 1960– Total report: 414-527-8– Earlier workforce names: New York Titans
The Jets entered the AFL because the Titans—albeit no relation to at present’s Tennessee Titans—however modified their identify in 1963. New proprietor Sonny Werblin appreciated the colour inexperienced and the trendy identify Jets. The Jets previously performed in New York, however their dwelling stadium is now in New Jersey. Just like the crosstown Giants, they keep New York of their identify.
The franchise’s pinnacle occurred in 1969 when Joe Namath and the underdog Jets upset the Baltimore Colts in Tremendous Bowl III.
Abbie Parr // Getty Photographs
Philadelphia Eagles
– 12 months based: 1933– Total report: 599-627-27
Impressed by former President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, which used the American eagle as an emblem, Philadelphia’s soccer workforce known as themselves the Eagles. Locals adore the identify—they chant “E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!” at dwelling video games and flooded the streets of Philadelphia after the franchise received its first Tremendous Bowl in 2018.
Justin Berl // Getty Photographs
Pittsburgh Steelers
– 12 months based: 1933– Total report: 652-563-22– Earlier workforce names: Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh’s NFL workforce first shared the identical Pirates identify as town’s baseball workforce however modified to the Steelers in 1940. The Steelers had been a nod to town’s steel-making heritage. Throughout World Warfare II, when many gamers went to serve within the army, the Steelers mixed with the Eagles to turn into the “Steagles.” The cross-state Pennsylvania alliance was short-lived, and the Steelers received six Tremendous Bowls on their very own.
Robert Reiners // Getty Photographs
San Francisco 49ers
– 12 months based: 1950– Total report: 561-492-14
The 49ers had been named after the pioneers who rushed to California in 1849 in the hunt for gold. When it comes to Tremendous Bowl wins, the 49ers have struck gold 5 instances, establishing themselves as the highest franchise of the ’80s and likewise successful all of it in 1994. At the moment, the workforce really performs in Santa Clara, south of San Francisco.
Kevin C. Cox // Getty Photographs
Seattle Seahawks
– 12 months based: 1976– Total report: 374-350-1
A reported 20,365 entries had been submitted to call Seattle’s NFL workforce, with Seahawks chosen because the winner. Seahawks followers name themselves the “12th man” for his or her vocal assist at dwelling video games, and cheered emphatically when Seattle received Tremendous Bowl XLVIII.
Jordon Kelly / Icon Sportswire // Getty photographs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
– 12 months based: 1976– Total report: 291-433-1
Linked to the legend of José Gaspar and his pirate exploits close to Florida, Tampa Bay took on the nickname of the Buccaneers. Though they struggled mightily of their infancy–even going 0-14 of their first yr–the Bucs had a memorable swashbuckling emblem and “creamsicle” uniforms. They ditched the orange cream look towards the tip of the twentieth century after which received a Tremendous Bowl in 2003.
Logan Bowles // Getty Photographs
Tennessee Titans
– 12 months based: 1960– Total report: 463-480-6– Earlier workforce names: Houston Oilers, Tennessee Oilers
The Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee in 1997 and initially saved their nickname. However two years faraway from Texas, the franchise’s possession determined the workforce wanted a brand new identification in its new locale. The Titans, a reputation that after belonged to the New York Jets franchise, had been chosen. That first season because the Tennessee Titans, the workforce reached the Tremendous Bowl, famously falling quick by a yard to the St. Louis Rams.
Rob Carr // Getty Photographs
Washington Commanders
– 12 months based: 1932– Total report: 617-622-28– Earlier workforce names: Boston Braves, Boston Redskins, Washington Redskins, Washington Soccer Crew
After 87 years because the Redskins, the franchise parted methods with the identify and its racist connotations in 2019 and formally rebranded because the Washington Commanders in February 2022.
In 2021, the workforce up to date its stadium protocol and insurance policies to ban followers from sporting Native American-inspired ceremonial headdresses or face paint. Regardless that it held its earlier identify for the higher a part of a century, this isn’t the workforce’s first main rebranding. Initially known as the Boston Braves, proprietor George P. Marshall modified the moniker in 1933 to the Boston Redskins and 4 years later, moved the workforce to Washington D.C.
Initially Revealed: August 5, 2025 at 10:49 AM PDT
