“Throwing around the ‘pig skin'” (yuck!) may be one of the most appalling sports phrases ever, but there are plenty of reasons why a compassionate vegan like you should still set your fantasy lineup, grab your team jersey, and get pumped for football. #sports!
Heading out to catch your team in action doesn’t mean that you have to go hungry. More stadiums than ever are offering mouthwatering vegan options. The faux-steak sandwiches in Philly and the vegan barbecue sandwiches in Detroit make those cold-weather games well worth the freeze!
2. Game-Day Snacks
If you can’t make it out to a game, do the next best thing and invite over the crew for some game-day eats. Keep the vegans happy with all the hummus they can handle, and impress your meat-eating bae with some vegan BBQ riblets.
If your city doesn’t have a team to root for (or if you’re from Oakland and don’t want to root for your home team), cheer for any of these compassionate athletes leading the NFL in being awesome to animals:
3. San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Stevie Johnson
As a young player, Stevie Johnson looked up to the pros who came before him—including players like Chad Johnson, who starred in an ad for our iconic “Ink, Not Mink” anti-fur campaign. Now, Stevie has starred in his own ad in the hope of inspiring younger fans and players to leave fur out of their closets.
4. San Diego Chargers Cornerback Brandon Flowers
After seeing how animals on fur farms are skinned and killed, Brandon Flowers told peta2: “If you have a heart, I’m pretty sure it’ll touch you to see how these animals suffer.” Flowers’ “Ink, Not Mink” ad serves as a reminder to fans that when it comes to helping animals, it’s a simple choice. Be a compassionate consumer, and leave animal skins out of your wardrobe. We’re currently celebrating #WoolFreeWinter over here at peta2, and it’s pretty awesome!
5. San Francisco 49ers Safety Antoine Bethea
Antoine Bethea knows what it takes to play hard in the NFL, and he knows what it takes to be a responsible, loving guardian to his animals. He treats his dogs like family, refusing to chain them outdoors because it would relegate them to a life of misery and loneliness. When Antoine learned that chained “backyard dogs” are often ignored and neglected, he stepped up his game and promised never to be silent about it.
In closing, even if your team is having a terrible “butt fumble” of a season—there’s still reason to cheer!