NFL Musical Mascots
- Published: Feb. 12, 2012 at 05:19 p.m.
- Updated: Feb. 13, 2012 at 01:11 p.m.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
Cincinnati Bengals: Peter Frampton
That's more like it. Cincinnati deserves better and Frampton has lived in town for a number of years now.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!"
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
New England Patriots: Aerosmith
All right, we'll allow this, but Aerosmith can't sing the national anthem again.
New Orleans Saints: Harry Connick Jr.
This is an easy one. Hard to find another person more entwined with his community and football team.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Snoop Dogg/Brett Michaels
The Steelers dominated the Raiders during the 1970s, but Pittsburgh can't come close to the Raiders' duo.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Washington Redskins: Wale
Wale is one of the biggest musical names to come from D.C. and he's a huge Redskins fan.

