There are several teams in the NFL each with their logos. These logos have been part of most teams from their inception. Besides being an insignia associated with NFL teams, some have deeper meanings and a reflection of the origin, and sometimes a particular region.
The 2023 season of NFL football is upon us, and the competition for a Super Bowl berth is proving to be as fierce as ever. But how do the different teams compare in terms of their logos?
We ranked every team’s logo based on its level of creativity, complexity, and recognizability. From the straightforward logos of the Colts and Dolphins to the more detailed logos of the Cowboys and Vikings, here are the Top 10 NFL Logos:
1. Dallas Cowboys
The logo of the Dallas Cowboys ‘The Star is a simple yet iconic logo. The Lone Star represents Texas, which is also known as the Lone Star State. The famous logo is an integral part of the team’s history.
The logo designed by Jack Eskridge consists of blue and white colors. The blue color depicts wisdom and freedom, while the white color is associated with purity and light.
The logo has undergone little to no changes since the team's inception in 1960, and it has become synonymous with the team.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers' logo, ‘Steelmark,’ is based on the Steel mark of the American Iron and Steel Institute. The logo dates back to the 1930s, when the Pittsburgh Steelers were not performing well.
The logo was inspired by a US Steel promotion that featured blue, red, and yellow stars. The stars, also referred to as hypocycloids, depict steel, lighten your work, brighten your leisure, and widen your world.
3. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers were established in 1919 by George Calhoun and Curly Lambeau. The team is named after the Indian Packing Company.
The famous ‘G’ logo was designed by Gerald Brashier, an equipment manager and art student, in 1961. The G represents Green Bay. The emblem represents the heritage of football, and the logo symbolizes the town and the success of the franchise.
4. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers logo is one of the oldest logos in the National Football League. Allen Sorrel was responsible for creating the iconic logo in 1883.
The logo is an ‘SF’ emblem contained within an oval shape representing the city of San Francisco. The red and gold colors symbolize the California Gold Rush, where the franchise gets its name.
While the main theme of the logo remains the same, there have been minor changes to the logo over the years.
5. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are one of the teams that have made extensive changes to their logo in their existence. In the 1920s, the team used the AE Staley logo as a way of promoting the company.
However, in 1940, the team introduced a new logo with a black bear running with a ball. Six years later, the Chicago Bears introduced another logo, featuring a navy blue bear atop a football.
In 1962, the Bears unveiled the iconic ‘C’ logo, which the franchise has been associated with since.
6. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have one of the NFL's most famous and iconic logos. The Flying Elvis logo represents a minute man's face with a star within a flag-like design.
The logo symbolizes the region's heritage and revolutionary spirit. The logo became even more popular in the 2000s and 2010s, as the team dominated the league.
7. Kansas City Chiefs
The logo of the Kansas City Chiefs is an arrowhead with the initials "KC" emblazoned inside.
The logo represents the Native American heritage and is considered a powerful symbol of the people of that region. The Chiefs' logo bears some similarities to the San Francisco 49ers' logo. The KC is similar to the interlocked SF initials.
The Chiefs have made a significant impact in the NFL, with three Super Bowl titles as of April 2023, and several appearances in the big game.
With a chance to add another Super Bowl to their trophy cabinet, the Chiefs are considered by many as favorites for the 2024 Super Bowl.
As such, many fans and neutrals will be backing the Chiefs on sportsbooks, and there is a vast lineup of bonus offers for all betting enthusiasts keen on taking a punt on the Super Bowl.
8. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are a fierce and competitive team, and their logo perfectly encapsulates this spirit. Its powerful symbolism is a source of pride and inspiration for fans worldwide.
The team’s logo is displayed proudly on merchandise, uniforms, and throughout the stadium, embodying the Raiders’ storied history and strong identity.
The logo is instantly recognizable, and it ranks among the best NFL logos in terms of design, style, and aesthetics. Its unique color palette, strong font, and powerful symbolism make it a classic in the league.
The logo’s iconic status is primarily due to its timeless design and enduring popularity.
The Raiders’ logo features a simple yet effective color palette. Black represents strength and determination, while white symbolizes purity and excellence. The addition of gray gives the logo a neutral tone while still maintaining its strict, professional image.
The use of the Futura Bold font for the inscription adds to the logo’s power and authority, establishing it as a serious and reliable organization.
9. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks logo is a powerful symbol of the team’s spirit and determination. The stylized bird is a nod to the birds of prey found throughout the Pacific Northwest, including the seagulls that many fans call “Seahawks.”
The colors of blue, green, and silver represent the natural elements of the region: the blue of the sky and water, the green of the forests and mountains, and the silver of the clouds and snow.
The current version of the hawk head is more angular and aggressive, and it’s been designed to express power and determination. In addition, the blue has been replaced with a shade of grey called “wolf gray.” The Seahawks’ use of this color is a nod to their city’s history and heritage.
Despite these changes, the original hawk head remains an unmistakable part of the Seahawks’ identity. It is that rarest of sports symbols: a culturally accurate icon directly inspired by an Indigenous masterpiece. It's also a design that seems to be embraced by the Coast Salish People it was borrowed from, even as it continues to be reimagined by designers.
10. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are an American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the NFC North division.
Founded in 1960, the Vikings are the second-oldest current franchise in the NFL and have won seven division titles and five NFC Championship games. The Vikings played their first regular season game on August 5, 1961, defeating the Chicago Bears 37-13 at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rookie Fran Tarkenton threw four touchdown passes and ran for another in the win.
Known as the "Purple People Eaters", the defense also shone in 1961 and helped Minnesota to its first-ever Super Bowl appearance, where they lost to the Miami Dolphins 24-7.
After a 1-5 start, the Vikings improved significantly during the remainder of the regular season, finishing 12-4 and clinching the NFC Central title. In the playoffs, the Vikings routed the Dallas Cowboys 34-3 in the divisional round and appeared poised to reach their first Super Bowl since 1970, but were eliminated in the NFC Championship game by a New Orleans Saints team led by quarterback Brett Favre.
Wrap Up
NFL fans from all over the world love to show their team pride by wearing t-shirts, hats, and even helmets bearing their teams’ official logos. While most of these emblems are simple in design, some are truly exceptional and could be considered among the best sports logos ever.
The San Francisco 49ers logo is a perfect example of the principle "less is more," and it is one of the most recognizable logos in the league. This design features a red circle housing the team’s initials “SF” in bold white, with gold trim around the edges. The addition of gold is a smart choice, as the city’s Gold Rush history exemplifies the spirit of achievement and ambition.
Despite being relatively new to the NFL, the Seattle Seahawks have made a big splash with their raw, powerful, and incredibly fierce-looking logo. The blue, white, and green is a heavily over-saturated color scheme in the NFL, but it works perfectly here and is instantly recognizable. The Seattle Seahawks' snarling face adds a level of fear and intensity that no other NFL logo has been able to capture on the field so far.
This design may not be as aesthetically pleasing as some of the other ones on this list, but it does its job well. Wrapped in the colors of the American flag, this logo perfectly encapsulates the National Football League’s identity as America’s number one sport. The flag’s reversed stars are a nice touch that also helps to reinforce the American flag theme.
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