The Origins of All 32 NFL Team Names

Here are the stories behind the nicknames of the NFL’s 32 teams—and what they were almost called. All photos via Getty Images.

NFL teams NFL teams
  • 1. ARIZONA CARDINALS

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  • 2. ATLANTA FALCONS

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  • 3. BALTIMORE RAVENS

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  • 4. BUFFALO BILLS

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  • 5. CAROLINA PANTHERS

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  • 6. CHICAGO BEARS

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  • 7. CINCINNATI BENGALS

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  • 8. CLEVELAND BROWNS

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  • 9. DALLAS COWBOYS

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  • 10. DENVER BRONCOS

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  • 11. DETROIT LIONS

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  • 12. GREEN BAY PACKERS

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  • 13. HOUSTON TEXANS

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  • 14. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

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  • 15. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

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  • 16. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

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  • 17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

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  • 18. LOS ANGELES RAMS

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  • 19. MIAMI DOLPHINS

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  • 20. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

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  • 21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

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  • 22. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

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  • 23. NEW YORK GIANTS

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  • 24. NEW YORK JETS

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  • 25. OAKLAND RAIDERS

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  • 26. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

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  • 27. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

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  • 28. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

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  • 29. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

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  • 30. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

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  • 31. TENNESSEE TITANS

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  • 32. WASHINGTON REDSKINS

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