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NFL Musical Mascots

  • By Adam Rank NFL.com
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Every team ramps up the Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica during NFL games, but who do these bands really root for? Find out as we take a look at the unofficial NFL musical mascots.

Arizona Cardinals: Jimmy Eat World

The alternative rock band out of Mesa continues to call Arizona home, and the band is huge fans of all of the local teams, including the Cardinals. And it seems strange the vagabond Cardinals would find such a loyal following with a band actually from Arizona.

Interscope Records

Atlanta Falcons: Usher

Former Falcons corner Deion Sanders gave it a shot, but "Must be the Money" nearly caused Atlanta to burn again. So we'll be on the safe side and err on the side of one of the biggest entertainers in the world.

Gero Breloer/Associated Press

Baltimore Ravens: Sisqo

Baltimore has turned out some great musical talent such as Ric Ocasek of The Cars, Frank Zappa and the former Baltimore Colts marching band. Give this one, however, to Sisqo with possibly a Dru Hill reunion to boot. Yeah, sorry Baltimore.

Evan Agostini/Associated Press

Buffalo Bills: Meatloaf

The Loaf was born and raised in Dallas, but is actually a huge Bills fan. He could rework one of his most famous songs to "I would do anything for a...Super Bowl title." But he won't do that.

Richard Drew/Associated Press

Carolina Panthers: Superchunk

I'm not even sure if the members of Superchunk are even football fans, but I'm giving it to one of my favorite bands who just happened to come out of Chapel Hill, N.C.

Jason Arthurs

Chicago Bears: Common

You know, the Blues Brothers would have been a perfect choice. The original Blues Brothers, not the Blues Brothers 2000 with Jim Belushi and John Goodman (have you no decency?). So let's go with Common.

Evan Agostini/Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Lachey

Yeah, I know Bengals fans. But he is one of your biggest fans outside of the Cloone Dog. You know this just doesn't seem right. Let's see what I can do. I mean, Cris Collinsworth plays the guitar. Oh wait, I got it...

Evan Agostini/Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals: Peter Frampton

That's more like it. Cincinnati deserves better and Frampton has lived in town for a number of years now.

Jason DeCrow/Associated Press

Cleveland Browns: Brad Paisley

Some consideration was given to the Presidents of the United States for performing "Cleveland Rocks." And it seems like the home of the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame would have some rockers rooting for the Browns. But instead, it's country star Paisley.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys: Jamie Foxx

There are a number of country performers you can go with here, but Foxx is easily one of the biggest stars in the world and befitting of the team with the star on its helmet. Sorry Carrie Underwood.

Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

Denver Broncos: Trey Parker and Matt Stone

Parker and Stone have to count for all of the great songs they have written for "South Park" and the Broadway hit "The Book of Mormon." But how about a reboot borrowed from "Team America: World Police" ... Broncos (Expletive) Yeah!

Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

Detroit Lions: Kid Rock

After last year's disaster during the Thanksgiving halftime show, anybody but Nickelback would have done. But Kid Rock is synonymous with Detroit.

Isaac Brekken/Associated Press

Green Bay Packers: Justin Timberlake

All right, no jokes about the Packers bringing sexy back, but JT is a huge Packers fan so he's going to get the nod here even though Wisconsin has produced some great bands.

Joel Ryan/Associated Press

Houston Texans: Clay Walker

Walker performs the Texans theme song right now, "It's Football Time in Houston." But man, he should do a reboot of that cool "Houston Oilers" song from way back when. You remember the chorus -- "Houston Oilers ... Houston Oilers ... Houston Oilers No.1!"

Dave Einsel/Associated Press

Indianapolis Colts: Hunter Smith Band

How can you not go with a band led by a former player? And seriously, if you are going to see one band fronted by a former Colts punter, make it the Hunter Smith band.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars: Lynyrd Skynyrd

Skynyrd is Jacksonville. And every time "Sweet Home Alabama" is cranked up over the sound system, the crowd goes absolutely nuts.

Peter Kramer/Associated Press

Kansas City Chiefs: BB King

Question: Is King a Chiefs fan? A better question: Do I care? The legend sang, "Kansas City, here I come." What team wouldn't want him to be its musical front man?

Abdeljalil Bounhar/Associated Press

Miami Dolphins: Mark Anthony and JLo/Jimmy Buffett/Fergie

Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross has an ownership group that has more washed-up musical talent than your average county fair. The only question is who gets the Dolphins' ownership in the divorce, Anthony or JLo?

Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings: Prince

This one is obvious, but Prince really blew an opportunity to rep his Vikings when he didn't wear a team jersey while performing in the Super Bowl halftime show a few years back. Or maybe he did, I don't watch the halftime show.

Balazs Mohai/Associated Press

New England Patriots: Aerosmith

All right, we'll allow this, but Aerosmith can't sing the national anthem again.

Lisa Poole//Associated Press

New Orleans Saints: Harry Connick Jr.

This is an easy one. Hard to find another person more entwined with his community and football team.

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

New York Giants: Bon Jovi

Oh wait, here's Bon Jovi. You know you're a dedicated fan when you favor your team in the Super Bowl over your best friend who is coaching the opposition which Jon Bon Jovi has had to do twice.

Job Vermeulen/Associated Press

New York Jets: Jay-Z

Well it figures since Jay-Z takes a back seat to Beyonce, he would take the second-banana New York football team, too. Just kidding Jets fans, you're third behind the Bills, too.

Donald Traill/Associated Press

Oakland Raiders: Metallica/Ice Cube

Wait, this doesn't seem fair. One of the greatest metal acts of all time and one of the greatest rappers? If this were a contest, this would be over.

Associated Press

Philadelphia Eagles: Will Smith

The only thing I fear here is Smith is so into nepotism, I'm afraid he might insist Willow becomes the team's new starting quarterback.

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Pittsburgh Steelers: Snoop Dogg/Brett Michaels

The Steelers dominated the Raiders during the 1970s, but Pittsburgh can't come close to the Raiders' duo.

Associated Press

San Diego Chargers: P.O.D.

The Christian rock band wrote the Chargers' anthem. And it's cool. But what the band should do is a cover of the 1970s disco version of the "San Diego Super Chargers" song.

Stuart Ramsom/Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers: Huey Lewis and the News

Seriously, you know how you can tell it's a huge sporting event in San Francisco? Huey Lewis and the News are singing the national anthem.

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Seattle Seahawks: Soundgarden

This is another one where I'm not even sure the band even likes football. When you think of Seattle music, Soundgarden comes first for me.

Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

St. Louis Rams: Nelly

Nelly is a big-time supporter of St. Louis sports, so this seems like a natural. But Motley Crue will become the musical face when the team moves back to Los Angeles.

Associated Press

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Hold Steady

Yeah, not a lot to choose from here. But The Hold Steady (a Minnesota band formerly in Brooklyn) often sings fondly of Ybor City. Sorry, that's all I've got.

Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

Tennessee Titans: Faith Hill

"We've been waiting all day for Titan football?" Probably not. But while Hill sings about all 32 teams for NBC, her heart is with the Titans.

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

Washington Redskins: Wale

Wale is one of the biggest musical names to come from D.C. and he's a huge Redskins fan.

Maybach Music Group/Warner Bros.

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