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
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
Bee is hoping her quickness will sting the opponents.
From The Sato Project in Puerto Rico – Bella
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
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
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
Flo is a terrier, and so she’ll put up a determined fight on defense.
From the Nevada SPCA in Las Vegas – George
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
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
Harry’s size, quickness and speed will make him a great ballcarrier.
From Big Fluffy Dog Rescue in Nashville, Tennessee – Moses
Moses is all set to block for teammates who need it, though he wouldn’t mind scoring sometimes himself, either.
From the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Virginia – Pirate
Pirate is thrilled to be in the game and having fun with his teammates.
From Every Dog Counts Rescue in Zionsville, Indiana – Pistachio
Pistachio isn’t that big, but he’ll try his best to make his teammates proud of his efforts on the field.
From Paw Works in Camarillo, California – Scotch
Scotch is all set for the big game, and still a little bitter that the Chargers moved from San Diego to Los Angeles.
From spcaLA in Los Angeles, California – Shy Boy
Shy Boy is LA born and bred, and so he’s definitely pulling for the Rams in Super Bowl LIII after the game.
From Muddy Paws Rescue in New York City – Sierra
As an NYC pit bull, Sierra’s not as fearsome as she looks, and ready and willing to cheer on her teammates’ accomplishments. She splits her football loyalty between the Giants and the Jets, though she likes the green colors of Team Ruff a little more.
From the Vanderpump Dog Foundation in Los Angeles, California – Violet Vanderpump
Violet is also pulling fro the Rams to win, though she’s really going to watch the Super Bowl for the commercials, particularly the food-related ones. She was adopted by TV personality Lisa Vanderpump.
From Big Fluffy Dog Rescue in Nashville, Tennessee – Whitney
As a Husky or Malamute, Whitney would be at home on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, so she’ll pretend she’s Bark Favre during the game.
From AHeinz57 Pet Rescue in De Soto, Iowa – Ziggy
Iowa is located in Big Ten country, and that conference focuses on fundamentals, doing the little things the right way. From his photo, Ziggy will be a solid all-around player willing to help his team however he can.
Puppy Bowl XV will air on Animal Planet on Sunday, February 3 at 3 p.m. ET. It is preceded on Saturday, February 2 at 8 p.m. ET by Dog Bowl II, a companion event for adult and senior shelter dog awareness.
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