Introduction
Also known as “American football” outside of the United States and Canada, football evolved from association football and rugby football, with the first game of American football being played in 1869. As a whole, the sport is the most popular of all sports in the United States, including professional, college, high school and youth football. For fans of the game, who either love to play, watch or both, a football inspired name may be the way to go when considering what to name the newest member of your family. Your interactions with your pooch will feel like you scored a touchdown as you are reminded of the game you love each time you call his name.
Football Inspired Dog Names in Pop Culture
When it comes to football dogs in pop culture, the official live mascot of the University of Georgia comes to mind. Since 1956, each English Bulldog named Uga, who has filled the role has been from a line of the breed owned by Sonny Seiler. The line began when Seiler brought a Bulldog that was given to him as a wedding present to the team’s first home game. After the game, the head coach asked if the dog could be used as the team’s mascot. A friend from college made the suggestion that the dog be named Uga, for the abbreviation of the school. From then on, each Uga has been a member of, and lived with, the Seiler family. The Uga filling the role is at each home football game, as well as many away games and other functions for the school. The dog is typically seen wearing a spiked collar and a red jersey with a varsity letter.
Uga has a custom-built air-conditioned dog house at the University’s home stadium, and bags of ice nearby help him avoid heatstroke, something that Bulldogs are prone to. The current Uga is the tenth dog to fill the role; when an Uga retires, there is typically a ceremony marking the “passing of the collar”. When an Uga passes away, the dog is interred in a mausoleum near an entrance to the stadium, where a bronze plaque describes the dog’s tenure.
Another football dog in pop culture is Buddy, known as Air Bud, from the movie Air Bud: Golden Receiver. Made in 1998, the second of the Air Bud movies featured Buddy, who we had seen play basketball, excelling in the sport of football. When the town’s new veterinarian tosses a football offhandedly to Buddy, it becomes apparent that Buddy has some serious football skills. He starts to play on the Junior High football team of his owner, Josh, and with his help the failing team starts to win and even makes the playoffs. Unfortunately, right before the championship game, Buddy is kidnapped by two people hoping to have him perform in the Russian circus. Without Buddy, the team struggles in the championship game. Fortunately, Buddy manages to escape and ultimately make it to the important game.
Football Inspired Dog Name Considerations
As you try to come up with just the right name for you pup, as a football fan, choosing a name that brings to mind the sport that you enjoy may be the way to go. Your new pooch may remind you of a canine college mascot like Uga, or bring to mind a particular player whose efforts you have always appreciated.
As a fan of the game, it may feel right to honor your new friend with the name of a favorite player. Each time you call the name of your pooch, you will be reminded of the player and some of his best plays. Perhaps a particular coach has inspired you with his leadership, resulting in other naming ideas. A good name for your dog can also come from a favorite team or even a particular play that occurs in the sport. Your canine buddy will be ready to relax with you on the couch, helping you cheer on your favorite team.
With a football inspired name, you will be reminded of the excitement that you feel when playing or watching the game, every time you call your new friend, ensuring that you have regular reminders of the sport you enjoy.
Male Football Inspired Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 7 |
Soldier
For Soldier Field, the home stadium of the Chicago Bears
|
|
| 5 |
Jet
Referring to the New York Jets team
|
|
| 4 |
Steeler
As in the Pittsburgh Steelers, great name for a sleek dog
|
|
| 4 |
Titan
As in the Tennessee Titans
|
|
| 4 |
Raider
For the Oakland Raiders
|
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| 4 |
Chief
For the Kansas City Chiefs and seems to suit a German Shepherd
|
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| 3 |
Bill
The Buffalo Bills or for Bill Belichick, the coach of the New England Patriots since 2000; he has coached the team to seven appearances in the Super Bowl
|
|
| 3 |
Rice
Jerry Rice, a wide receiver who played for 20 seasons in the NFL, most of which with the San Francisco 49ers
|
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| 3 |
Lawrence
Lawrence Taylor, linebacker for the New York Giants from 1981-1993
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| 3 |
Butkus
For Dick Butkus, who was a Linebacker for the Chicago Bears from 1965-1973
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| 2 |
Kicker
The player who kicks field goals and extra points, for a dog who loves to play ball
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| 2 |
Bronco
For the Denver Broncos and a name that suits a sturdy pup
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| 2 |
Sanford
For the University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia
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| 2 |
Packer
For the Green Bay Packers
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|
| 1 |
Brett
For Brett Favre, a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1992-2007
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| 1 |
Charger
Inspired by the San Diego Chargers
|
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| 1 |
Hike
The term for passing the ball backwards; also called a snap
|
|
| 0 |
Touchdown
Bringing the ball across the goal line of one’s opponent, leading to six points
|
|
| 0 |
Tiger
As in Louisiana State University’s Tiger Stadium
|
|
| 0 |
Unitas
For Johnny Unitas, Quarterback for the Baltimore Colts from 1956-1972 and the San Diego Chargers in 1973
|
|
| -1 |
Lincoln
For Lincoln Financial Field, where the Philadelphia Eagles play
|
|
| -1 |
Tiger
For the Clemson Tigers, the number 1 ranked college football team in December 2017
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| -1 |
Ford
The stadium where the Detroit Lions play their home games
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| -1 |
QB
For the position of quarterback, typically the leader of the offense and caller of plays
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|
| -1 |
Sack
Term for when the quarterback is tackled while he is behind the line of scrimmage
|
|
| -2 |
Manning
For brothers Eli and Peyton Manning
|
|
| -2 |
Buccaneer
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, suits a Rottweiler
|
|
| -2 |
Tackle
For the positions of offensive tackle and defensive tackle
|
|
| -2 |
Heisman
An award given every year to the best college football player in the United States who also shows integrity
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|
| -2 |
Walter
Known as the “Refrigerator”, Walter Perry was a defensive lineman in the NFL for 10 seasons
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Female Football Inspired Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 7 |
Nicky
Nick Saban is the Alabama head coach
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|
| 6 |
Bobbie
For Bobby Bowden the Florida State coach with 346 wins
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| 6 |
Ray
Raymond James stadium is where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play
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| 6 |
KaLena
for KaLena Barnes who was the first woman to play on a top ten Division 1A school when she was a punter for the University of Nebraska
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| 5 |
Montana
Joe Montana played quarterback in the NFL for 16 seasons and known to remain calm in pressure situations; a great name for a search and rescue canine
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|
| 5 |
Gale
For Gale Sayers, a former NFL player with the Chicago Bears 1965-1971
|
|
| 5 |
Regina
For Reggie White, a Defensive Lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1985-1992, Green Bay Packers from 1993-1998 and Carolina Panthers in 2000
|
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| 5 |
Liz
Liz Heaston was the first woman to play and score in a college football game, having kicked for two extra points
|
|
| 4 |
Peyton
Peyton Manning, who played quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos
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| 4 |
Brittanee
The first female football coach in college football is Brittanee Jacobs
|
|
| 4 |
Carroll
For Pete Carroll, coach of the Seattle Seahawks and former college coach at USC
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|
| 3 |
Blitz
Happens when the defense sends players that are not defensive linemen to rush the quarterback
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| 3 |
Uga
For the University of Georgia’s mascot
|
|
| 3 |
Fiesta
For the Fiesta Bowl, the college football bowl game played in Glendale, Arizona
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| 3 |
Niner
As in the San Francisco 49ers
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| 3 |
Raven
For the Baltimore Ravens and the perfect name for a jet black dog
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| 2 |
Sugar
For the Sugar Bowl, the annual college football bowl game played in New Orleans
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| 2 |
Brady
Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots; one of only two players to win five Super Bowls
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| 2 |
Colt
For the Indianapolis Colts
|
|
| 1 |
Bear
For the Chicago Bears as well as Paul “Bear” Bryant a college coach who won 323 games
|
|
| 1 |
Carolina
Inspired by the Carolina Panthers NFL team
|
|
| 0 |
LaVell
for LaVell Edwards, the Brigham Young coach with 257 wins
|
|
| 0 |
Gillette
The name of the home stadium of the New England Patriots
|
|
| 0 |
Ray
Ray Lewis, a former linebacker who played 17 years for the Baltimore Ravens
|
|
| 0 |
Rose
For the Rose Bowl, the college football bowl game played in Pasadena, California
|
|
| -1 |
Patricia
For Patricia Palinkas, the first woman to play pro football (in the Atlantic Coast Football League)
|
|
| -1 |
Georgia
For the University of Georgia Bulldogs and a lovely name for a female of the breed
|
|
| -1 |
Katie
Katie Hnida was the first female to score in a Division I-A bowl game in 2003
|
|
| -2 |
Zone
A type of defense where the defensive players take responsibility for a particular area on the field to provide coverage for passing
|
|
| -2 |
Kathryn
Kathryn Smith was the first full-time female NFL coach as the Special Teams Quality Control Coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2016
|
Written by a Australian Shepherd lover Ilyssa Bozza
Published: 01/10/2018, edited: 01/12/2021
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