Puppy Bowl XV: Presenting the Team Ruff starting lineup

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: Attendees cuddle with puppies from a local rescue, Paw Works, who are on hand to promote Animal Planet?s ?Puppy Bowl XII" during the Discovery Communications TCA Winter 2016 at The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa on January 7, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Discovery Communications)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: Attendees cuddle with puppies from a local rescue, Paw Works, who are on hand to promote Animal Planet?s ?Puppy Bowl XII" during the Discovery Communications TCA Winter 2016 at The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa on January 7, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Discovery Communications)
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Team Ruff looks to regain bragging rights in Puppy Bowl XV.

Team Ruff is on a mission for Puppy Bowl XV.

Last year in Puppy Bowl XIV, Team Ruff looked for sure to grab possession of the Chewy.com Lombarky Trophy, only to have it snatched from their jaws at the last second by Team Fluff, who pulled out the 52-47 triumph in GEICO Stadium.

(See more on the history of the event here.)

This time around, Ruff’s roster of players is looking to be even cuter and more playful out on the field, in order to give their team the victory.

Happily, all of these players have been adopted since the filming of the game last October. Now, let’s dig into the starting lineup for Team Ruff.

From Big Fluffy Dog Rescue in Nashville, Tennessee – Alexander

Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Alexander from Big Fluffy Dogs is all set for Team Ruff. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg
Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Alexander from Big Fluffy Dogs is all set for Team Ruff. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg

Alexander is hoping his long legs won’t get anyone else tripped up and get him called for intentional ruffness penalties. Hailing from Music City, he’s a big Titans and Predators fan, and would love to meet Moose McCreery.

From The Sato Project in Puerto Rico – Bee

Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruffs Bee, from The Sato Project. Photo by NIcole VanderPloeg
Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruffs Bee, from The Sato Project. Photo by NIcole VanderPloeg

Bee is hoping her quickness will sting the opponents.

From The Sato Project in Puerto Rico – Bella

Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruffs Bella from The Sato Project. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg
Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruffs Bella from The Sato Project. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg

Bella is hoping her cuteness will distract the other team so her teammates can score all the points.

From The Sato Project in Puerto Rico – Bugsy

Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruffs Bugsy from The Sato Project. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg
Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruffs Bugsy from The Sato Project. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg

Football isn’t that big a thing in Puerto Rico, so Bugsy isn’t quite sure of all the rules. Still, he’s going to try his best.

From Planned Pethood in Toledo, Ohio – Emmitt

Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruffs Emittt from Planned Pethood. Photo by NIcole VanderPloeg
Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruffs Emittt from Planned Pethood. Photo by NIcole VanderPloeg

Emmitt is from northwest Ohio, one of the hotbeds of football tradition, and in particular, coaching greatness. He’ll use his knowledge of strategy and history to outsmart Team Fluff.

From the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, California – Flo

Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruffs Flo from Helen Woodward Animal Center. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg
Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruffs Flo from Helen Woodward Animal Center. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg

Flo is a terrier, and so she’ll put up a determined fight on defense.

From the Nevada SPCA in Las Vegas – George

Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV -Team Ruff’s George from the Nevada SPCA. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg
Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV -Team Ruff’s George from the Nevada SPCA. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg

George is looking forward to the Raiders‘ upcoming move to Las Vegas. He’s also hoping people will stop confusing him for Golden Knights superfan Bark-Andre Furry.

From Green Dogs Unleashed in Troy, Virginia – Hank

Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruff’s Hank from Green Dogs Unleashed. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg
Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruff’s Hank from Green Dogs Unleashed. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg

Hank is named after the legendary Kansas City Chiefs coach Hank Stram, the first AFL team to win the Super Bowl. His size and that legacy bode well for Team Ruff.

From The Sato Project in Puerto Rico – Harry

Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruff’s Harry from The Sato Project. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg
Puppy portrait for Puppy Bowl XV – Team Ruff’s Harry from The Sato Project. Photo by Nicole VanderPloeg

Harry’s size, quickness and speed will make him a great ballcarrier.