Did you know that NFL players love their pets just as much as you do?
It’s true! Even the biggest, toughest football stars have furry friends waiting for them at home.
After a hard game or tough practice, many NFL players go home to play with their dogs, cuddle their cats, or spend time with their pets.
These animals make them feel happy, calm, and loved. Pets are like family to them!
NFL Athletes’ Pets List
We found some fun and true stories about NFL stars and their pets on The Top Players — a great place to know more about your favorite football stars and their lives off the field.
Let’s meet some famous NFL players and their adorable pets!
NFL Athletes and Their Pets
| Player Name | Team | Pet Name(s) | Pet Type | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | Steel & Silver | Dogs (Pit Bull & Cane Corso) | They have their own Instagram! |
| Russell Wilson | Denver Broncos | Prince, Naomi & Hero | Great Danes | All are named with the number 3 theme |
| Tom Brady | Retired (Patriots/Bucs) | Lua & Scooby | Dogs | Often seen with his kids on social media |
| Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals | Beau | Mini Goldendoodle | Adopted in 2017 with his girlfriend |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs | Rambo & Chauncey | Goldendoodle & Pomsky | He calls them his “football buddies” |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | Free Agent | Boujee | French Bulldog | Has his own Instagram, too |
| Kirk Cousins | Minnesota Vikings | Abe | Dog | Adopted in 2019 |
| Carson Wentz | Free Agent | Henley, Jersey, Riggs | Golden Retrievers | Loves hunting and outdoor life with them |
| JJ Watt | Retired | Tex & Finley | Dogs | Always shares cute photos with his wife |
| Ezekiel Elliott | Dallas Cowboys | Ace, Deuce & Jack Jack | Dogs | Known for his funny pet videos |
Now let’s learn more about each player and their special pets!
Patrick Mahomes and His Dogs
Patrick Mahomes is the superstar quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s won Super Bowls and lots of awards. But at home, he’s just a regular pet dad!
Patrick has two strong and sweet dogs — Steel and Silver. Steel is a pit bull, and Silver is a Cane Corso (a big Italian guard dog). Patrick says Steel is like his best friend.
His wife Brittany, loves the dogs too. In fact, Steel and Silver are so popular that they have their own Instagram account! Fans love seeing pictures of them playing and being silly.
Russell Wilson’s Three Great Danes
Russell Wilson plays quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He and his wife Ciara have three HUGE Great Danes — Prince, Naomi, and Hero.
Great Danes are one of the biggest dog breeds in the world. But even though they’re giant, they’re super friendly and gentle!
Russell picked the name theme around the number three because it’s his jersey number. He loves that number, so his dogs’ names remind him of it. How cool is that?
Tom Brady’s Family Pets
Tom Brady is one of the greatest NFL players ever. He played for many years and won seven Super Bowls! Now he’s retired, but he still loves spending time with his family and pets.
Tom has two dogs — Lua and Scooby. They often appear in family photos on social media. His kids love playing with them.
Brady has said that having pets at home helps him feel calm after the stress of football. After a tough game, coming home to Lua and Scooby makes everything better!
Joe Burrow and His Goldendoodle
Joe Burrow is the talented quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s known for being cool and calm on the field. But off the field, he’s a total dog lover!
Joe has a Mini Goldendoodle named Beau. He adopted Beau back in 2017 with his girlfriend. Goldendoodles are fluffy, friendly, and super cute!
Joe has said that playing fetch with Beau helps him relax. After throwing footballs all day, he goes home and throws tennis balls for his furry buddy. It’s his favorite way to unwind!
Travis Kelce’s Football Buddies
Travis Kelce is a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s fun, loud, and loves to celebrate. But he’s also a big softie when it comes to his dogs!
Travis has two dogs — Rambo (a Goldendoodle) and Chauncey (a Pomsky, which is a mix of Pomeranian and Husky). He calls them his “football buddies.”
Travis often posts videos of his dogs on social media. Fans love seeing the big, tough football player being silly and sweet with Rambo and Chauncey!
JuJu Smith-Schuster’s Instagram Star
JuJu Smith-Schuster is a wide receiver who has played for several NFL teams. He’s known for being fun, energetic, and having a great personality.
JuJu has a French Bulldog named Boujee. Boujee is so famous that he has his own Instagram account, just like Patrick Mahomes’ dogs!
Boujee once went viral for wearing a Steelers jersey (when JuJu played for Pittsburgh). Fans thought it was the cutest thing ever. JuJu loves showing off his little buddy online!
Kirk Cousins and His Loyal Dog
Kirk Cousins is the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. He’s known for being a family man and a hard worker.
Kirk adopted a dog named Abe in 2019. Abe quickly became part of the Cousins family and goes everywhere with them.
Kirk has said that Abe helps keep him grounded. Even though Kirk is a famous NFL player, when he’s home with Abe, he’s just a regular dog dad!
Carson Wentz’s Outdoor Adventure Dogs
Carson Wentz is a quarterback who has played for several NFL teams. He loves the outdoors — hunting, fishing, and spending time in nature.
Carson has three Golden Retrievers — Henley, Jersey, and Riggs. Golden Retrievers are perfect for outdoor adventures because they love to run, swim, and play!
Carson often takes his dogs on hunting trips or hikes. He says they make every outdoor adventure better. His dogs are his best outdoor buddies!
JJ Watt’s Sweet Pups
JJ Watt is a retired defensive end who was one of the most dominant players in NFL history. He’s big and tough on the field, but he’s a total sweetheart with his pets!
JJ and his wife Kealia have two dogs — Tex and Finley. JJ always shares cute photos of them on social media.
Fans love seeing the contrast — JJ tackling huge football players during games, then going home to cuddle with Tex and Finley. It shows that even the toughest players have a soft side!
Ezekiel Elliott’s Funny Pet Videos
Ezekiel Elliott (also called “Zeke”) is a running back for the Dallas Cowboys. He’s known for his wild hairstyles and fun personality.
Zeke has three dogs — Ace, Deuce, and Jack Jack. He loves making funny videos with them and posting them online.
Fans enjoy watching Zeke’s pet videos because they show his playful side. Whether he’s dressing them up or just playing around, Zeke’s dogs always make people smile!
Why Pets Matter to NFL Players?
You might wonder — why do so many NFL players love their pets so much? Here are some reasons:
- Pets help them stay calm after hard training sessions or stressful games. Football can be tough, and pets make everything feel better.
- Dogs give them love and make them laugh. Even when a player loses a game, their pet is always happy to see them!
- Some players bring their pets to team events or even on travel days. Pets become part of their football life.
- Pets keep them grounded — they remind players that they’re more than just athletes. They’re also pet parents, just like regular people!
Just like us, even NFL stars need puppy hugs after a long day!
Fun Facts About NFL Pets
Here are some extra fun facts about the NFL athletes’ pets list:
- Many NFL pets have their own Instagram pages! Fans follow them just like they follow the players.
- Patrick Mahomes’ dogs (Steel and Silver) are so famous that fans recognize them online and cheer for them, too!
- Joe Burrow said playing fetch with Beau (his Goldendoodle) helps him relax and clear his mind.
- JuJu Smith-Schuster’s dog Boujee once went viral for wearing a Steelers jersey. The video got millions of views!
- Some players donate to animal shelters or rescue centers. They use their fame to help homeless pets find families.
- Travis Kelce jokes that his dogs are better at catching than some of his teammates (just kidding… maybe!)
- Russell Wilson’s three Great Danes probably eat more food than a whole offensive line!
Conclusion
Seeing NFL stars with their pets reminds us that even big football heroes love animals.
These tough athletes who run, tackle, and score touchdowns also go home to play fetch, give belly rubs, and cuddle their furry friends.
Dogs, cats, and pets make the players stronger, calmer, and happier. They help them relax after intense games and bring joy to their lives.
Whether it’s Patrick Mahomes playing with Steel and Silver, Joe Burrow throwing tennis balls to Beau, or Tom Brady relaxing with Lua and Scooby, these NFL stars show us that pets are family.
So next time you watch a big NFL game, just imagine — after the match, your favorite player might be home playing fetch or cuddling with their furry friend!
And who knows? Maybe your dog is just as special as an NFL player’s pet. After all, every dog is a superstar to their family!