The Top Hilarious NFL Team Names: From the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Oorang Indians

Sportsbook Hank Sportsbook Hank
April 6, 2023
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Jim Thorpe, one of the most iconic athletes in American history, had a unique connection to the Oorang Indians, a short-lived NFL team from the 1920s. Thorpe, who was of Native American descent himself, played for the Oorang Indians during their inaugural season in 1922

The NFL has a long and storied history, and over the years, the league has seen some truly unique team names. From the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Oorang Indians, here are some of the funniest team names in NFL history.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers: Yes, you read that right. Before they moved to Los Angeles and became the Dodgers of Major League Baseball fame, the team was actually known as the Brooklyn Dodgers football team from 1930-1943.
  • Staten Island Stapletons: This team from New York had a short-lived stint in the NFL from 1929-1932, but their name lives on in infamy.
  • Oorang Indians: The Oorang Indians were a team that played in the NFL for just one season, in 1922. The team was named after the Oorang Dog Kennels in Ohio, which was run by the team’s owner. To add to the strangeness, the team was made up entirely of Native American players, who would perform tribal dances before games.
  • Boston Yanks: The Boston Yanks played in the NFL from 1944-1948, and their name is believed to have come from the fact that many of the team’s players were former members of the military.
  • Dallas Texans: The Dallas Texans played in the NFL for just one season in 1952 before moving to Baltimore and becoming the Colts. But the Texans left their mark on history, thanks in part to their bright blue and gold uniforms that made them look like human highlighters.

While these team names may seem odd by today’s standards, they all have a unique place in NFL history. And who knows, maybe someday we’ll look back on the current crop of team names and wonder what we were thinking. One thing’s for sure, though – the NFL will never be short on quirky and entertaining team names.

Jim Thorpe and Oorang Indians

Jim Thorpe, one of the most iconic athletes in American history, had a unique connection to the Oorang Indians, a short-lived NFL team from the 1920s. Thorpe, who was of Native American descent himself, played for the Oorang Indians during their inaugural season in 1922.
Although the team was only in existence for one season, it had a profound impact on the league and on Native American representation in sports. The Oorang Indians were made up entirely of Native American players, and their games were often accompanied by tribal dances and drumming, as well as promotional material that played up the “exotic” nature of the team.
For Jim Thorpe, who had faced discrimination and prejudice throughout his career, playing for the Oorang Indians was a way to connect with his heritage and showcase the skills of Native American athletes. And despite the team’s short lifespan, the legacy of the Oorang Indians lives on in the annals of NFL history, thanks in no small part to Jim Thorpe’s involvement.

Sportsbook Hank
Author Sportsbook Hank