As a designer who has spent years studying and working with sports branding, what stands out the most to me about NFL Football Team Logos is the surprising number of animal-inspired designs. This is something unique to football — you simply don’t see the same trend in other sports.
NFL Football Team Logos: 13 Animal-Inspired Designs
Each animal logo feels intentional, carrying strength, speed, and identity that go far beyond just a team symbol. They create a visual language that speaks to fans and makes NFL branding some of the most iconic in the world.
Why Do NFL Football Team Logos Often Feature Animals?
Discover the 4 main reasons why NFL Football Team Logos so often feature animals in their designs.
1. Strength, Courage, and Aggression
Animals naturally symbolize power and instinct. That’s why they work so well in NFL football team animal logos.
- The lion represents bravery and leadership.
- The falcon and eagle reflect speed, vision, and dominance.
- The bear conveys raw strength and intimidation.
These traits are a perfect match for football — a sport built on contact, strategy, and resilience.
2. Regional Identity
Many NFL team logos are directly connected to their cities and local culture:
- The Miami Dolphins connect to Florida’s oceans and sunshine.
- The Denver Broncos represent the wild horses of the American West.
- The Baltimore Ravens honor Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, tying literature to local pride.
These animal logos go beyond sports — they tell stories about place and tradition.
3. Visual Impact and Marketing
Animals make logos bold, dynamic, and easy to remember. In the NFL, this visual power translates directly to:
- Merchandise sales — jerseys, hats, and collectibles.
- Media recognition — instantly clear on TV, social media, and game broadcasts.
When fans see an eagle in flight or a roaring lion, they immediately connect it to the energy of football.
4. Tradition and Culture
Animal mascots have deep roots in American sports. From high schools to colleges, teams often use animals as symbols of courage and strength. This tradition naturally flows into the NFL, where animal logos are among the most iconic designs in professional sports.
NFL Teams With Animal Logos
Today, 13 NFL teams use animals in their logos — some directly (like the Chicago Bears) and others symbolically (like the Cincinnati Bengals, whose striped “B” stands for the tiger). Here’s the complete list of animal-inspired NFL football team logos:
| NFL Team | Animal | Logo Description |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | Raven | Features the head of a purple and black raven, symbolizing intelligence and mystery, tied to Edgar Allan Poe’s poem. |
| Buffalo Bills | Bison | Depicts a charging bison, representing strength and resilience, an animal native to the Buffalo region. |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Tiger | Uses the letter “B” with tiger stripes, representing ferocity and the team’s feline identity. |
| Denver Broncos | Horse | Shows the head of a wild horse with a fierce expression, symbolizing speed and freedom of the American West. |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Jaguar | Displays a roaring jaguar head, conveying agility and predatory strength. |
| Miami Dolphins | Dolphin | Illustrates a dolphin leaping in front of the sun, connecting the team to Florida’s ocean identity. |
| Arizona Cardinals | Cardinal | Shows the head of a red cardinal bird with a determined look, representing agility and toughness. |
| Atlanta Falcons | Falcon | A stylized falcon in black and red, with wings forming the letter “F”, symbolizing speed and power. |
| Carolina Panthers | Panther | Features the head of a snarling black panther, transmitting aggression and fighting spirit. |
| Chicago Bears | Bear | Shows a fierce orange bear head, emphasizing strength and intimidation. |
| Detroit Lions | Lion | A blue lion mid-roar and in attack stance, symbolizing bravery and leadership. |
| Los Angeles Rams | Ram | Depicts a ram with large curled horns in motion, representing impact and endurance. |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Eagle | Highlights the head of a white eagle, symbolizing vision, strength, and dominance. |