NFL Mascot Salary for a 2024: How Much Do They Make and How to Become One?

If you are a fan of the National Football League (NFL), you have probably seen the mascots of the 32 teams cheering on the sidelines, entertaining the crowds, and adding some fun and excitement to the game. But have you ever wondered how much these mascots make, how they got their jobs, and what their real names are? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we explore the fascinating world of NFL mascots.

What is an NFL mascot?

An NFL mascot is a person or an animal that represents a team’s identity, spirit, and personality. They usually wear costumes that resemble the team’s logo, name, or theme, and perform various activities during the game, such as dancing, waving flags, throwing T-shirts, interacting with fans, and sometimes even playing football with kids. NFL mascots also appear at team events, community outreach programs, and promotional campaigns.

How much do NFL mascots make? Salary was

An NFL mascot makes between $25,000 and $65,000 a year. However, this salary can vary depending on the team, the mascot’s experience, and the number of appearances they make. Some mascots also receive additional income from endorsements and other sources.

Highest-paid and lowest paid mascots in the NFL

The highest-paid mascots in the NFL are Rowdy of the Dallas Cowboys and Pat Patriot of the New England Patriots, who both earn $50 per hour or $65,000 per year. The third highest-paid mascot is Sourdough Sam of the San Francisco 49ers, who earns $45 per hour or $60,000 per year.

The lowest-paid mascots in the NFL are paid no more than $50,000 a season, including Blitz of the Seattle Seahawks and Sir Purr of the Carolina Panthers.

NFL mascots typically work part-time, and their hours vary depending on the team’s schedule. They may work more hours during the season and less during the offseason.

How to become an NFL mascot?

Becoming an NFL mascot is not an easy task. It requires a lot of training, skills, passion, and dedication. Here are some steps that can help you pursue your dream of becoming an NFL mascot:

• Acquire acrobatic, cheerleader, or mascot training. These types of training can help you develop your physical abilities, such as agility, strength, stamina, balance, and coordination. They can also teach you how to perform various stunts, routines, and tricks that can wow the audience.
• Know the rules of football. As a mascot for a football team, it is important to be able to accurately follow the game so you can help the fans cheer on their team. You should also study how other mascots act and react during the game.
• Try out to be your school’s mascot. If you are in college or high school, you can try out to be your school’s mascot as a way of gaining experience and exposure. This can also help you build your resume and portfolio for future applications.
• Go to Pro Mascot School This school, based in Texas, will teach you everything you need to know to become an NFL mascot. You will learn how to create your own character, costume, and props; how to interact with fans and media; how to handle different situations and challenges; and how to market yourself as a professional mascot.
• Search for job openings. You can search for NFL mascot job openings on the NFL.com Career Center or other online platforms. Mascot positions tend to become available at the end of the football season or when a team decides to change its mascot.
• Update your resume and cover letter. You should update your resume and cover letter to emphasize your relevant skills, experience, and achievements as a mascot. You should also explain why you want to become the mascot for a specific team and what makes you stand out from other applicants.
• Prepare for your audition and interview. You should prepare for auditioning your mascot abilities as well as attending an interview with the team’s representatives. You should practice your signature routine so that you can show your potential employers that you are right for the job. You should also research about the team’s history, culture, and values so that you can impress them with your knowledge and enthusiasm.

What are the real names of NFL mascots?

Most NFL mascots have names that are related to their team’s name or theme. For example:

• Rowdy is a cowboy-like figure who represents the Dallas Cowboys.
• Pat Patriot is a caricature of a patriot from the American Revolution who represents the New England Patriots.
• Sourdough Sam is a gold miner-like figure who represents the San Francisco 49ers.

However, some NFL mascots have names that are not so obvious or have interesting stories behind them. For example:

• Who Dey is an orange Bengal tiger-like figure who represents the Cincinnati Bengals. His name comes from the team’s chant, “Who dey, who dey, who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals?”
• Steely McBeam is a burly steelworker with a jutting chin who represents the Pittsburgh Steelers. His name was chosen by a fan contest in 2007, and it is a tribute to the team’s original logo, which featured three steel beams.
• T-Rac is a raccoon-like figure who represents the Tennessee Titans. His name is a combination of “T” for Tennessee and “Rac” for raccoon, which is the state animal of Tennessee.

Most Asked Questions and Answers about NFL Mascots

1. How many NFL teams have mascots?

27 out of 32 NFL teams have mascots. The five teams that do not have mascots are the Green Bay Packers, the Las Vegas Raiders, the New York Giants, the New York Jets, and the Washington Commanders.

2. What are the benefits of being an NFL mascot?

Being an NFL mascot can be a rewarding and enjoyable career for those who love football and entertainment. Some of the benefits of being an NFL mascot are:

• You get to be part of the NFL family and work with some of the best players, coaches, and staff in the league.
• You get to travel to different cities and stadiums and experience different cultures and fans.
• You get to make a positive impact on your community and society by participating in various charitable and educational events.
• You get to express your creativity and personality through your character and performance.
• You get to have fun and make people happy.

3. What are the challenges of being an NFL mascot?

Being an NFL mascot can also be a challenging and demanding career that requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Some of the challenges of being an NFL mascot are:

• You have to deal with the physical and mental stress of wearing a heavy and hot costume for long hours.
• You have to perform in front of thousands of people and deal with their reactions, expectations, and sometimes criticisms.
• You have to balance your work schedule with your personal life and other commitments.
• You have to cope with the risks of injuries, accidents, and lawsuits that may occur during your job.
• You have to constantly update your skills, routines, and props to keep up with the changing trends and preferences of the fans.

4. What are the qualifications for being an NFL mascot?

There is no specific degree or certification required for being an NFL mascot. However, most teams look for candidates who have some or all of the following qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Acrobatic, cheerleader, or mascot training
• Knowledge of football rules and team history
• Experience as a mascot or performer
• Physical fitness and stamina
• Creativity and charisma
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Professionalism and reliability

5. How long does an NFL mascot’s career last?

There is no definitive answer to how long an NFL mascot’s career lasts. It depends on various factors, such as the team’s needs, the mascot’s performance, the mascot’s health, and the mascot’s personal choice. Some mascots may retire after a few years, while others may stay for decades.

For example, K.C. Wolf has been the mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs since 1989, making him one of the longest-serving mascots in the NFL. On the other hand, Ragnar was the mascot of the Minnesota Vikings from 1994 to 2015 but he did not renew his contract after he asked for a raise.

6. How do NFL mascots communicate with fans?

NFL mascots communicate with fans in various ways, such as:

• Using body language, gestures, facial expressions, and sounds to convey their emotions and messages
• Using props, signs, banners, or T-shirts to display their slogans or jokes
• Using social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, to post their photos or videos or interact with their followers
• Using websites or blogs to share their stories or insights
• Using podcasts or interviews to talk about their experiences or opinions

7. How do NFL mascots choose their costumes?

NFL mascots choose their costumes based on their team’s name, logo, theme, or colors. They also consider their character’s personality, style, and appeal. They may design their own costumes or hire professional costume makers to create them.

Some mascots may have more than one costume for different occasions or seasons. For example, Rowdy of the Dallas Cowboys has a regular cowboy outfit as well as a Santa Claus outfit for Christmas.

8. How do NFL mascots keep cool in their costumes?

NFL mascots use various methods to keep cool in their costumes, such as:

• Wearing cooling vests or ice packs under their costumes
• Drinking plenty of water or sports drinks