With another NFL season kicking off, millions of Americans will spend Sundays cheering for the Eagles, Bears, Lions, Broncos, Dolphins and other animal-themed teams. We admire them because they exemplify strength, intelligence, courage, speed and determination.

The real animals behind those names deserve our admiration, too.

There’s a reason sports teams take their names from animals instead of inanimate objects. Eagles represent vision and resilience. Lions symbolize strength and courage. Broncos evoke power and endurance. Dolphins are celebrated for their intelligence and teamwork. These remarkable qualities inspire athletes and fans alike—but they originated in nature, not on the football field.

Eagles are devoted parents. Both mothers and fathers share the responsibility of raising their young, carefully tending their nests and fiercely protecting their eaglets. Dolphins develop unique signature whistles that function much like names, allowing them to recognize one another even after being apart for years. They’ve also been observed supporting sick or injured pod members at the surface so they can breathe. Horses form deep friendships, remember people and places for years and communicate through an impressive range of facial expressions, body language and vocalizations. They often become anxious when separated from close companions. And rams and other sheep recognize dozens of individual faces and form lasting social bonds.

Ravens rank among the world’s most cunning birds. They solve complex problems, remember human faces for years and play games simply for fun. Like the athletes whose helmets bear their image, they rely on intelligence as much as speed or strength.

These animals aren’t simply symbols painted on helmets or stitched onto jerseys. They’re individuals with families, personalities, emotions and lives that matter to them. They experience joy, fear, comfort and loss, just as the dogs and cats who share our homes do.

Yet while we celebrate animals every weekend, many animals who are just as smart, sensitive and worthy of our respect are treated very differently. Cows form meaningful friendships, grieve when companions die and nurture their calves with remarkable devotion. Mother hens talk to their chicks before they even hatch, while pigs solve puzzles, learn their names and outperform dogs on some cognitive tests.

Ironically, while football celebrates animals, it still uses equipment made from them. The “traditional” leather football, made from cows’ skin, is a reminder that admiration doesn’t always translate into compassion. Yet durable, high-performance synthetic footballs are readily available, making leather an unnecessary holdover from another era. Respect for animals shouldn’t end when the game is over. It should carry into the choices we make every day.

This football season, enjoy the rivalries, celebrate the victories and cheer for your favorite team. But remember that the animals whose names inspire our favorite franchises aren’t mascots first. They’re living, feeling beings with their own families, relationships and experiences.

The next time you cheer for the Eagles, Bears, Broncos or Dolphins, remember what those animals truly represent—not just strength or determination, but lives worthy of respect.

After all, every animal is someone.

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Scott Miller is a staff writer for the PETA Foundation, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510; www.PETA.org.

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