NFL Teams

Fun Facts About NFL Teams

• Chicago Bears One of the oldest teams in the NFL. Founded in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys, they're the only remaining charter member still playing in the same city. They also hold the record for the most games played in franchise history.
• Buffalo Bills Named after the famous frontiersman and Wild West showman Buffalo Bill Cody following a fan naming contest. They're the only NFL team that plays home games in the state of New York (the New York Giants and New York Jets both play in New Jersey).
• Indianapolis Colts The first NFL team to have an organized cheerleading squad (back when they were in Baltimore). The famous horseshoe logo honors the rich history of horse breeding and racing in Maryland, nicknamed the "Horse Capital of the World."
• Miami Dolphins The only NFL team with a perfect season: in 1972, they went 17–0 including playoffs and Super Bowl. Their vibrant aqua and teal colors were unique and bold for that era, setting them apart visually at the time.
• Detroit Lions The first NFL team to go 0–16 in the modern 16-game era (2008 season). The Lions trace their roots back to 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans before moving to Detroit in 1934.
• Baltimore Ravens In a team-naming contest in 1996, Ravens easily received more votes than other choices like Americans or Marauders. The name honors Edgar Allan Poe who wrote the iconic poem "The Raven" — Poe lived and died in Baltimore.
• Pittsburgh Steelers Named in a 1940 fan contest after the city's steel industry. They became an NFL dynasty in the 1970s, anchored by their famous "Steel Curtain" defense, winning four Super Bowls in six seasons (1974–1979) with stars like Joe Greene and Terry Bradshaw.
• Dallas Cowboys The team first considered calling themselves the Dallas Steers or Dallas Rangers, but changed it to avoid confusion with a baseball team. In 1978 an NFL Films producer used the phrase "America's Team" for a highlight film to describe the team's widespread appeal and frequent national TV appearances. The label stuck due to their consistent success.