A Look Back to the NFL: Logo Edition

If you readers have not already noticed, this season marks the 50th anniverssary of the AFL. Nearly every NFL team has or will wear a throwback uniform this season.

With all of these throwback uniform appearances, the exposure has gotten me curious. I did some browsing to try to figure out what's behind all of these silly looks.

Denver's Ice Cream Sandwich uniforms from Monday Night really did me in. During my searching, I stumbled upon the NFL's and AFL's older team logos.

Every NFL team has a good looking logo as of now, but looking back, viewers are in for quite a laugh. Oh how computer graphics have changed things.

Here is a list with every franchise's worst logo, with a little bit of historical trivia for toppings.

Thanks to sportslogos.net for the images.

Arizona Cardinals- St. Louis Cardinals logo (1966-72)

Nope, this isn't the baseball team. The Arizona Cardinals franchise originated in Chicago as the Chicago Cardinals in 1920, but their move to St. Louis in 1960 prompted this logo to be made.

The logo that we got used to up until the 2004 season was their primary, but this was their alternate.

St. Louis teams have tried to incorporate the Arch into their logos, and have failed miserably.

Atlanta Falcons- logo (1990-2002)

Ah yes, the Falcon crest. This logo represents one thing—losing. Not only that, but this all-black version (as opposed to the one outlined in red, the original) epitomizes the Glanville era in Atlanta.

The team was almost entirely black and white. Even as a child, I thought this logo looked so dumb. The Falcon looks like he wet his pants, let alone fierce.

Baltimore Ravens- logo (1996-98)

The Cleveland Browns scooted on over to become the Baltimore Ravens in 1996, and this logo was their initial mark. Not that terrible of a first logo (though not optimized very well in this rendering). But, there is reason this logo got dumped, and there is reason it is on this list.

The Ravens were forced to design a new logo for the 1999 season after they lost a lawsuit against a US citizen who had sent in an almost identical logo during the early stages of the franchise's identity development.

Buffalo Bills- logo (1965-69)

I think the Bills logo now is rather dumb, but this is just terrible. It took the Bills franchise 10 years to finally realize simplicity wins, with the establishment of the "red standing Bull" as primary in 1970.

But, the funny thing is, it's on the helmet here. They wore the red bull on their uniform starting in 1961, just the second year of the franchise.

Carolina Panthers- logo (1995-Present)

Well, the Panthers are just 14 years young, and they have only had one primary logo in their existance.

But, their sad attempts at alternate marks is pretty hilarious. This logo is a failed attempt at putting the primary cat head on a body. The head is way too large.

Now, I'm not quite sure if the Panthers even use this logo on merchandise or anything, so any Panther fan with insight please inform me.

Chicago Bears- logo (1940-1953)

The Bears first documented logo, despite being around since 1920, shows up during the 1940 season.

This buddy here was the best they could come up with. Come on! A simple orange and blue "C" fixes everything.

Cincinnati Bengals- logo (1967-69)

Yikes! How would you like to have your own face as a logo on the helmet of the team you play for?

This cat for some reason looks a bit upset. As you will soon find out as you continue to scroll through here, logo designers seemed to think helmets flying off figures was somewhat effective.

Cleveland Browns logo- (1950-69)

The Cleveland Browns have gone through a history of identity crisis'. That is the least you can expect when your first franchise logo looks like it came from the Keebler family.

The Browns fiddled with elves, to no avail, then with plain helmet profiles (which did not look too bad). However, when the franchise was reestablished in Cleveland after a three year haitus (The 1995 team moved to Baltimore), they began using the helmet profile that NFL teams use when presenting their logo and uniform slick to the NFL.

Real original. Of course they also toiled with a logo in 2003, which quickly failed.

Personally, I find the dog most suitable. Notice there is a "Dawg Pound" in Cleveland, but not an "Elf Pound".

Dallas Cowboys- logo (1966-69)

When your primary logo is the iconic Star, why in the world would you unveil this as an alternate?

Has anyone ever seen the retarded two-legged horse video? Just saying.

Denver Broncos- logo (1960-61)

Ah yes, the 1960 Broncos. The Broncos' first AFL season featured that horrible brown and yellow color scheme, those vertical striped socks, and this terrible logo.

I'm pretty sure the person on top is eating. And, why is it that NFL logos always had riders larger than what they were riding?

And just for note, after that win against New England (where Josh McDaniels was wearing a cap with this logo), I want to imagine that McDaniels himself is the one on top of the bronco ... miniature bronco.

Detroit Lions- logo (1952-60)

You begin to wonder if people in the '50s and '60s had an insecurity with their size?

I mean seriously, how much more disproportionate are we going to get?

Green Bay Packers- logo (1956-61)

...In reference to my last comment.

Much more disproportionate. A man the size of Wisconsin, which apparently is smaller than a football.

Houston Texans- logo (2002-Present)

Congratulations Texans!

You have only had one logo in your short history, and it is a brilliant one! One of my favorite logos in sports.

Indianapolis Colts- logo (2001)

So, the Colts never used this logo, but it was apparently produced by the organization in 2001.

On an unrelated note, Drugs are bad.

Jacksonville Jaguars- logo (1993-94)

The Jaguar's football team began in 1995, but pre-inagural kickoff promotions featured this logo.

The Jaguars had to make a change because this logo was way too similar to the Jaguar logo (car company).

That turned out to be a good change, because the logo they have used from 1995 until now is far superior.

Kansas City Chiefs- logo (1963-71)

When the Dallas Texans became the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963, this was the logo they unveiled.

Mind you, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska, and Arkansas. are all shown on this logo.

Also, Chief? Or Super Sayan white man with hairy legs?

Miami Dolphins- logo (1966)

Well, I still think the Dolphins logo is stupid, even though I think they should never change it.

But their original looked pretty lame. At least they have spiced it up over the years.

Minnesota Vikings- logo (1966-Present)

Obviously this logo did not look as clean in 1966, as this rendering is a computer graphic.

But, it is a pretty snazzy one. I would have to say, I like it, but I'm tempted to name it Helga.

New England Patriots- logo (1971-92)

Is it strange that a logo created in 1965 (Boston Patriots) looks EXACTLY like former Patriot linebacker (mind you, decades later) Teddy Bruschi?

New York Giants- logo (1956-60)

You know, I guess this makes sense considering they are the "Giants", but disproportion strikes again here!

And, I'm pretty set on my conclusion that they drew him a foot for a left hand.

New York Jets- logo (2002-Present?)

Kind of wanted to keep up my trend of old logos (the Jet's original airplane logo was pretty bad).

But, this alternate logo designed (if you can even say that) in 2002 is hilarious!

Skateboard + Football = Big Green Monster? Who would have thunk that?

Oakland Raiders- logo (1960-62)

The original Raiders were black and gold, there is some trivia for you!

What is this though?

I would not be that happy if I had one eye and no body.

This Raider appears to have been Raided.

Philadelphia Eagles- logo (1969-72)

Wish I could poke fun at the Eagles' lame fight song.

Their history of logos is not bad. Their originals were all eagles, and all pretty decent looking ones.

Pittsburgh Steelers- logo (1960-61)

No comment, seriously, no comment.

San Diego Chargers- logo (1961-73)

Not too bad. I just have two questions.

What is the horse-dragon thing?

and,

What does it have to do with "Chargers?"

San Francisco 49'ers- logo (1946-67)

Notice the hat flying off, as stated earlier.

Also, why is this man shooting himself in the foot?!?! I'm tempted to put Plaxico Burress' face on it!

Seattle Seahawks- logo (1976-2001)

The AFC Seahawks used a toned down, and upset version, of the enhanced logo the franchise uses today.

St. Louis Rams- Cleveland Rams logo (1940-45)

This is just not good. I really do not know what else I can say.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers- logo (1976-96)

Alas! Bucco Bruce!

Nothing says losing more than a smile, a wink, a giant feather hat, and creamsicle uniforms.

Tennessee Titans- Houston Oilers logo (1960-71)

Lots of design disasters here, but amidst the excess the one part of this logo that concerns me the most is the bra the player is wearing on the outside of his pads.