American football is a unique sport. It is rare and special that the highest level of the game is played entirely by teams from one country. But even without international competition, the NFL is packed with culture and variety.
From high school to college to the pros, team traditions help create pride and identity for cities and even whole states. Some are meant to fire up the home crowd, and others are built to rattle the opponent.
As all 32 NFL teams gear up for another season, here’s a look at some of the league’s best team traditions.
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Top 5 NFL Traditions
Green Bay Packers: Lambeau Leap
The Lambeau Leap is one of the most iconic traditions in football, bringing Green Bay Packers players face to face with their fans. Ironically, it all started on a touchdown that probably shouldn’t have counted. But with no replay system in place, LeRoy Butler gave birth to one of the game’s most famous celebrations.
It happened on Dec. 26, 1993, against the Los Angeles Raiders. Butler forced a fumble from running back Randy Jordan, and Reggie White scooped it up. White rumbled downfield and lateraled the ball back to Butler, who scored the touchdown. Replays later showed White stepped out before the lateral, but the score stood.
A first Lambeau Leap is a milestone for any Green Bay player. Visiting players have tried it too, but not always with the same success.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Terrible Towel
The Terrible Towel is a staple of Pittsburgh Steelers football. Tens of thousands of fans wave it at every home game and many road games, too.
It started in 1975 as a promotional idea by WTAE radio and Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope. Players weren’t sold at first, but the towel took off as the team rolled to a Super Bowl win behind quarterback Terry Bradshaw.
In 1996, Cope donated the rights to the Allegheny Valley School, which supports people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Since then, Terrible Towel sales have raised more than $9.5 million for the school.
Minnesota Vikings: Skol Chant
Iceland’s fan base at Euro 2016 inspired the Minnesota Vikings’ Skol Chant. Minnesota introduced it when they moved into U.S. Bank Stadium, and it quickly became a fan favorite. It starts with slow drumbeats, speeding up as fans clap and chant “Skol” in unison.
Traditions that get fans involved are usually the ones that stick — and the Skol Chant is proof. It unites Vikings fans and gives the team an extra edge before kickoff.
The word “skol” comes from the Scandinavian “skål,” which translates to “cheers.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cannon Fire
Raymond James Stadium is instantly recognizable because of the 103-foot pirate ship sitting in the north end zone. But it’s not just decoration. The ship’s cannons fire every time the Tampa Bay Buccaneers score.
They also go off when the team enters the red zone, along with “attack flags” waving around the stadium. The ship’s crew even tosses out free prizes while the Disney classic “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)” plays throughout the game.
There was one notable exception. In Super Bowl 55, held at Raymond James, Tampa Bay became the first team to play and win a Super Bowl in its home stadium. To keep the atmosphere neutral, the NFL only allowed the cannons to fire before and after the game.
Buffalo Bills: Bills Mafia Donations
This one’s not a game-day ritual, but Buffalo Bills fans’ generosity has become a powerful NFL tradition.
Bills Mafia began in the early 2010s, but the fan base’s most lasting legacy might be its charitable spirit. In January 2025, after Ravens tight end Mark Andrews dropped a late game-tying two-point conversion in a playoff loss to the Bills, fans started donating to his diabetes charity, Breakthrough T1D.
They raised more than $146,500 through a GoFundMe page, with nearly 4,500 donations.
And this wasn’t the first time. Bills Mafia has donated in honor of Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa after they were hurt in games against Buffalo. Players like Andy Dalton and Tyler Bass have also felt the love from Bills fans.
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