The Miami Dolphins are one of 28 teams that employ a mascot in the league in 2026, as T.D. is set to enter his 30th season since taking over for Flipper in April 1997.
T.D. has become a staple for the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, as he brings the energy throughout the games and at events around the community.
While Dolphins fans seem to enjoy T.D., not everyone is as keen on team’s official mascot. In fact, Sports Illustrated’s Eva Geitheim recently ranked all 28 mascots, and T.D. came in at No. 23.
“The Dolphins once had a real dolphin named Flipper as their mascot, but their current mascot is T.D, which stands for both touchdown and the Dolphins,” Geitheim wrote. “The seven-foot Dolphin joined the franchise as their mascot in 1997 after then head coach Jimmy Johnson signed him in free agency after he attended “Atlantis University.” In his free time, T.D. enjoys deep sea diving and surfing, and his favorite movies include Jaws and Finding Nemo.”
The only mascots that ranked below T.D. were Major Tuddy (Washington Commanders), Raider Rusher (Las Vegas Raiders), Captain Fear (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Pat Patriot (New England Patriots) and Steely McBeam (Pittsburgh Steelers).
Please put some respect on T.D.’s name.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins mascot ranked very low among peers around the league
Reporting by Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire | USA TODAY Network
