Historically, a few football teams, particularly within the National Football League (NFL), have used names derived from indigenous peoples. These team names are part of a broader discussion on the use of Native American imagery and terminology in sports.
Historical NFL Teams
The following table lists historical football teams that were named after Native Americans, based on records of their past usage in professional leagues like the National Football League.
| Team Name | League | City, State |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Indians (1921) | National Football League | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Cleveland Indians (1931) | National Football League | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Duluth Eskimos | National Football League | Duluth, Minnesota |
It is important to note that the term "Indians" is a broad and often considered a misnomer for indigenous peoples of the Americas, while "Eskimos" refers to various indigenous peoples of the Arctic region, such as the Inuit and Yupik, though this term is also viewed as outdated or offensive by some. These historical team names reflect naming conventions of their respective eras.
