Professional Football Team Names

From "A Game With No Rules"

(For other sports, go to Professional Sports Team Names)

The following lists give the years and the franchise names that each team played under.  The source of this information is primarily from Sportsline and Hickok Sports.

Abbreviations are as follows:  

AFL I — American Football League, 1926;

AFL II — American Football League, 1936-1937;

AFL III — American Football League, 1940,1941;

AFL IV — American Football League, 1960-1967;

AAFC — All-American Football Conference, 1946-1949;

American Professional Football Association (becomes NFL), 1921;

NFL — National Football League (former APFA), 1922-now;

Ind. — Independent football team;

CFL — Continental Football League, 1965-1969;

USFL — United States Football League, 1983-1985;

WFL — World Football League, 1974-1975

—— Current Teams ——

1994- now, Arizona Cardinals; NFL

1988-1993, Phoenix Cardinals; NFL

1960-1987, St. Louis Cardinals; NFL

1945-1959, Chicago Cardinals; NFL

1944-1944, Card/Pitt; NFL

1922-1943, Chicago Cardinals; NFL

1921-1921, Chicago Cardinals; APFA

1901-1920, Chicago Cardinals; Ind

———

1966- now, Atlanta Falcons; NFL

———

1996- now, Baltimore Ravens; NFL

1950-1995, Cleveland Browns; NFL

1946-1949, Cleveland Browns; AAFC

———

1970- now, Buffalo Bills; NFL

1960-1969, Buffalo Bills; AFL IV

———

1995- now, Carolina Panthers; NFL

———

1922- now, Chicago Bears; NFL

1921-1921, Chicago Staleys; APFA

1920-1920, Decatur Staleys; APFA

———

1999- now, Cleveland Browns; NFL

———

1970- now, Cincinnati Bengals; NFL

1968-1969, Cincinnati Bengals; AFL IV

———

1960- now, Dallas Cowboys; NFL

———

1970- now, Denver Broncos; NFL

1960-1969, Denver Broncos; AFL IV

———

1934- now, Detroit Lions; NFL

1930-1933, Portsmouth Spartans; NFL

———

1922- now, Green Bay Packers; NFL

1920-1921, Green Bay Packers; APFA

———

2002- now, Houston Texans; NFL

———

1984- now, Indianapolis Colts; NFL

1953-1983, Baltimore Colts; NFL

1952-1952, Dallas Texans; NFL

1950-1951, New York Yanks; NFL

1949-1949, New York Bulldogs; NFL

1944-1948, Boston Yanks; NFL

———

1995- now, Jacksonville Jaguars; NFL

———

1970- now, Kansas City Chiefs; NFL

1963-1969, Kansas City Chiefs; AFL

1960-1962, Dallas Texans; AFL IV

———

1970- now, Miami Dolphins; NFL

1966-1969, Miami Dolphins; AFL IV

———

1961- now, Minnesota Vikings; NFL

———

1971- now, New England Patriots; NFL

1970-1970, Boston Patriots; NFL

1960-1969, Boston Patriots; AFL IV

———

1967- now, New Orleans Saints; NFL

———

1925- now, New York Giants; NFL

———

1970- now, New York Jets; NFL

1963-1969, New York Jets; AFL IV

1960-1962, New York Titans; AFL IV

———

1995- now, Oakland Raiders; NFL

1982-1994, Los Angeles Raiders; NFL

1970-1981, Oakland Raiders; NFL

1960-1969, Oakland Raiders; AFL IV

———

1944- now, Philadelphia Eagles; NFL

1943-1943, Philadelphia/Pittsburgh Steagles; NFL

1933-1942, Philadelphia Eagles; NFL

1924-1931, Frankford Yellow Jackets; NFL

———

1945- now, Pittsburgh Steelers; NFL

1944-1944, Card/Pitt; NFL

1943-1943, Philadelphia/Pittsburgh Steagles; NFL

1941-1942, Pittsburgh Steelers; NFL

1933-1940, Pittsburgh Pirates; NFL

———

1994- now, St. Louis Rams; NFL

1946-1994, Los Angeles Rams; NFL

1937-1945, Cleveland Rams; NFL

———

1970- now, San Diego Chargers; NFL

1963-1969, San Diego Chargers; AFL IV

1960-1962, Los Angeles Chargers; AFL IV

———

1950- now, San Francisco 49ers; NFL

1946-1949, San Francisco 49ers; AAFC

———

1976- now, Seattle Seahawks; NFL

———

1976- now, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; NFL

———

1999- now, Tennessee Titans; NFL

1997-1998, Tennessee Oilers; NFL

1970-1996, Houston Oilers; NFL

1960-1969, Houston Oilers; AFL IV

———

1937- now, Washington Redskins; NFL

1933-1936, Boston Redskins; NFL

1932-1932, Boston Braves; NFL

—— Defunct Teams ——

1926-1926, Akron ; Indians; NFL

1920-1925, Akron Pros; NFL

1920-1921, Akron Pros; APFA

1918-1919, Akron Pros; Ind

1916-1916, Akron Burkhardts; Ind

———

1947-1950, Baltimore Colts; NFL

1946-1946, Miami Seahawks; AFL

———

1929-1929, Boston Bulldogs; NFL

1925-1928, Pottsville Maroons; NFL

———

1944-1944, Brooklyn Tigers; NFL

1930-1943, Brooklyn Dodgers; NFL

1922-1929, Dayton Triangles; NFL

1920-1921, Dayton Triangles; APFA

———

1929-1929, Buffalo Bisons; NFL

1926-1927, Buffalo Rangers; NFL

1924-1925, Buffalo Bisons; NFL

1922-1923, Buffalo All-Americans; NFL

1920-1921, Buffalo All-Americans; APFA

———

1922-1926, Canton Bulldogs; NFL

1920-1921, Canton Bulldogs; APFA

1915-1921, Canton Bulldogs ; Ind

1911-1914, Canton Pros; Ind

———

1920-1920, Chicago Tigers; APFA

.....

1921-1921, Cincinnati Celts; APFA

.....

1931-1931, Cleveland Indians; NFL

———

1924-1925, Cleveland Bulldogs; NFL

1923-1923, Cleveland Indians; NFL

———

1921-1921, Cleveland Indians; APFA

1920-1921, Cleveland Tigers; APFA

———

1924-1926, Columbus Tigers; NFL

1920-1923, Columbus Panhandles; NFL

1920-1923, Columbus Panhandles; APFA

1907-1919, Columbus Panhandles; Ind

———

1921-1921, Detroit Heralds; NFL

1920-1920, Detroit Heralds; APFA

1911-1919, Detroit Heralds; Ind

———

1925-1926, Detroit Panthers; NFL

———

1928-1928, Detroit Wolverines; NFL

1927-1927, Cleveland Bulldogs; NFL

———

1921-1921, Evansville Crimson Giants; NFL

1922-1922, Evansville Crimson Giants; APFA

———

1922-1926, Hammond Pros; NFL

1920-1921, Hammond Pros; APFA

———

1926-1926, Hartford Blues; NFL

———

1926-1926, Kansas City Cowboys; NFL

1924-1925, Kansas City Blues; NFL

———

1924-1924, Kenosha Maroons; NFL

1922-1923, Toledo Maroons; NFL

1906-1921, Toledo Maroons; Ind

———

1926-1926, Los Angeles Buccaneers; NFL

———

1926-1926, Louisville Colonels; NFL

1922-1923, Louisville Brecks; NFL

1921-1921, Louisville Brecks; APFA

———

1922-1926, Milwaukee Badgers; NFL

———

1929-1930, Minneapolis Redjackets; NFL

1922-1924, Minneapolis Marines; NFL

1921-1921, Minneapolis Marines; NFL

———

1920-1921, Muncie Flyers; APFA

1916-1919, Muncie Flyers; Ind

1910-1915, Congerville Flyers; Ind

———

1930-1930, Newark Tornadoes; NFL

1929-1929, Orange Tornadoes; NFL

1926-1927, Duluth Eskimos; NFL

1923-1925, Duluth Kelleys; NFL

———

1921-1921, New York Brickley's Giants; APFA

———

1922-1923, Oorang Indians; NFL

———

1925-1931, Providence Steam Roller; NFL

1916-1924, Providence Steam Roller; Ind

———

1926-1926, Racine Tornadoes; NFL

1922-1924, Racine Legion; NFL

1918-1921, Horlick/Racine Legion; Ind

1922-1925, Rochester Jeffersons; NFL

1920-1921, Rochester Jeffersons; APFA

1910-1919, Rochester Jeffersons; Ind

———

1922-1925, Rock Island Independents; NFL

1920-1921, Rock Island Independents; APFA

1912-1919, Rock Island Independents; Ind

———

1923-1923, St. Louis All-Stars; NFL

———

1935-1941, St. Louis Gunners; Ind

1934-1934, St. Louis Gunners; NFL

1933-1934, Cincinnati Reds; NFL

———

1931-1932, Staten Island Stapes; NFL

1929-1930, Staten Island Stapletons; NFL

1927-1928, New York Yankees; NFL

1926-1926, Brooklyn Lions; NFL

1915-1925, Staten Island Stapletons; Ind

———

1921-1921, Tonawanda Lumbermen (Kardex); APFA

———

1921-1921, Washington Senators; APFA

———

1926-1926, Boston Bulldogs; AFL I

1926-1926, Brooklyn Horseman; AFL I

1926-1926, Chicago Bulls; AFL I

1926-1926, Cleveland Panthers; AFL I

1926-1926, Los Angeles Wildcats; AFL I

1926-1926, New York Yankees; AFL I

1926-1926, Newark Bears; AFL I

1926-1926, Philadelphia Quakers; AFL I

1926-1926, Rock Island Independents; AFL I

———

1936-1937, Boston Shamrocks; AFL II

1936-1936, Brooklyn Tigers; AFL II

1937-1937, Cincinnati Bengals; AFL II

1936-1936, Cleveland Rams; AFL II

1937-1937, Los Angeles Bulldogs; AFL II

1936-1937, New York Yankees; AFL II

1936-1937, Pittsburgh Americans; AFL II

1936-1937, Rochester Tigers; AFL II

1940-1940, Boston Bears; AFL III

1940-1941, Buffalo Indians; AFL III

1940-1941, Cincinnati Bengals; AFL III

1940-1941, Columbus Bullies; AFL III

1940-1941, Milwaukee Chiefs; AFL III

1940-1940, New York Yankees; AFL III

1941-1941, New York Americans; AFL III

———

1946-1948, Brooklyn Dodgers; AAFC

1949-1949, Brooklyn-New York Yankees; AAFC

1946-1946, Buffalo Bisons; AAFC

1947-1949, Buffalo Bills; AAFC

1946-1948, Chicago Rockets; AAFC

1949-1949, Chicago Hornets; AAFC

1946-1949, Cleveland Browns; AAFC

1946-1949, Los Angeles Dons; AAFC

1946-1946, Miami Seahawks; AAFC

1947-1949, Baltimore Colts; AAFC

1946-1948, New York Yankees; AAFC

1946-1949, San Francisco 49ers; AAFC

———

1967-1967, Akron Vulcans; CFL

1968-1969, Alabama Hawks; CFL

1968-1969, Arkansas Diamonds; CFL

1966-1966, Brooklyn Dodgers; CFL

1965-1968, Charleston Rockets; CFL

1968-1969, Chicago Owls; CFL

1969-1969, Dallas Rockets; CFL

1967-1967, Eugene Bombers; CFL

1965-1965, Ft. Wayne Warriors; CFL

1969-1969, Ft. Worth Braves; CFL

1965-1967, Hartford Charter Oaks; CFL

1969-1969, Portland Loggers; CFL

1969-1969, Hawaii Warriors; CFL

1968-1969; Indianapolis Capitals; CFL

1969-1969, Jersey Jays; CFL

1969-1969, Las Vegas Cowboys; CFL

1967-1967, Long Beach Admirals; CFL

1969-1969, Mexico Golden (Monterrey) Aztecs; CFL

1968-1968, Michigan (Detroit) Arrows; CFL

1966-1967, Montreal Beavers; CFL

1965-1965, Newark Bears; CFL

1966-1969, Norfolk Neptunes; CFL

1968-1969, Ohio Valley (Wheeling) Ironmen; CFL

1968-1968, Oklahoma City Plainsmen; CFL

1969-1969, Oklahoma (Tulsa) Thunderbirds; CFL

1968-1969, Omaha Mustangs; CFL

1967-1968, Orange County Ramblers; CFL

1966-1969, Orlando Panthers; CFL

1965-1967, Philadelphia Bulldogs; CFL

1965-1965, Providence Indians; CFL

1968-1968, Quad Cities (Moline) Raiders; CFL

1968-1968, Las Vegas Cowboys; CFL

1965-1967, Richmond Rebels; CFL

1967-1969, Sacramento) Buccaneers; CFL

1969-1969, San Antonio Toros; CFL

1967-1967, San Jose Apaches; CFL

1967-1969, Seattle Rangers; CFL

1968-1969, Spokane Shockers; CFL

1965-1965, Springfield Acorns; CFL

1965-1965, Norfolk Neptunes; CFL

1969-1969, Texarkana Titans; CFL

1965-1967, Toronto Rifles; CFL

1969-1969, Tri-City (Midland) Apollos; CFL

1967-1967, Victoria Steelers; CFL

1969-1969, West Texas (Odessa-Midland) Rufneks; CFL

1965-1967, Wheeling Ironmen; CFL

———

1974-1974, Birmingham Americans; WFL

1975-1975, Birmingham Vulcans; WFL

1974-1974, Chicago Fire; WFL

1975-1975, Chicago Winds; WFL

1974-1974, Detroit Wheels; WFL

1974-1974, Florida Blazers; WFL

1975-1975, San Antonio Wings; WFL

1974-1975, The Hawaiians; WFL

1974-1974, Houston Texans; WFL

1974-1975, Shreveport Steamer; WFL

1974-1974, Jacksonville Sharks; WFL

1975-1975, Jacksonville Express; WFL

1974-1974, Memphis Southmen; WFL

1975-1975, Memphis Grizzlies; WFL

1974-1974, New York Stars; WFL

1974-1975, Charlotte Hornets; WFL

1974-1975, Philadelphia Bell; WFL

1974-1974, Portland Storm; WFL

1975-1975, Portland Thunder; WFL

1974-1975, Southern California Sun; WFL

———

1983-1984, Arizona Wranglers; USFL

1985-1985, Arizona Outlaws; USFL

1983-1985, Birmingham Stallions; USFL

1983-1983, Boston Breakers; USFL

1984-1984, New Orleans Breakers; USFL

1985-1985, Portland Breakers; USFL

1983-1984, Chicago Blitz; USFL

1983-1985, Denver Gold; USFL

1984-1985, Houston Gamblers; USFL

1984-1985, Jacksonville Bulls; USFL

1983-1985, Los Angeles Express; USFL

1984-1985, Memphis Showboats; USFL

1983-1984, Michigan Panthers; USFL

1983-1985, New Jersey Generals; USFL

1983-1985, Oakland Invaders; USFL

1984-1984, Oklahoma Outlaws; USFL

1983-1984, Philadelphia Stars; USFL

1985-1985, Baltimore Stars; USFL

1984-1984, Pittsburgh Maulers; USFL

1984-1985, San Antonio Gunslingers; USFL

1983-1985, Tampa Bay Bandits; USFL

1983-1984, Washington Federals; USFL

1985-1985, Orlando Renegades; USFL

See also Baseball Team Names, Basketball Team Names, and Hockey Team Names.

See also Major Professional Teams Sorted by Locale and Major ProfessionalTeams Sorted by Nickame.