I appreciate the Puppy Bowl not only for the adorable spectacle of puppies playing football but also because of its strong call to action for everyone to help animals everywhere find a ‘forever home.’ 

The Puppy Bowl XX, which was played between Teams Ruff and Fluff in a hockey arena in Glen Falls, New York, was televised at 2 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday right before the Super Bowl. Last year, the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl reached over 13 million viewers. All 1,298 dogs that have played in past Puppy Bowls have been adopted. This year’s players came from over 70 shelters and rescue centers across the United States. For the first time this year, the Puppy Bowl was broadcasted on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, HBO Max, TBS and Discovery+.

The Puppy Bowl was created through Animal Planet and Discovery+ as an alternative to the infamous Super Bowl with the intention of promoting the adoption of dogs, cats and other animals within the United States who are looking for a ‘forever home.’ Puppy Bowl XX was the largest yet, with 131 puppies and 73 shelter rescues from 36 states. Throughout the game, reminders to go to a link are presented in hopes of getting as many animals adopted as possible.

“There’s dogs that are working the cameras,” said Dan Schachner, former NFL referee and 13-year referee for the Puppy Bowl, in an interview for People Magazine. “There are dogs in the control rooms. There are dogs on the red carpet. Cheerleaders, coaches, you name it, they’re everywhere.”

I love the purpose and effect the Puppy Bowl has on people. Just by watching five minutes of the game, I was already laughing and cooing over the pets on screen. The added overdramatic touch only makes it better to watch. Each puppy is introduced with hilarious names such as Mr. Bean or Patrick Mabones along with their breed to help the adoption process. As the game commences, pups fight over toys and chase each other around the field. Points are won when a puppy pulls one of the toys over the end line on either side of the field. 

Watching the Puppy Bowl has become a family tradition. My brothers and I get all dressed up to support the two teams – Ruff and Fluff. In one room, we watch the Super Bowl and in the other, we watch the Puppy Bowl. My mother’s favorite part of the game is the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner,” when each dog looks to the flag “to honor all the humans and pups who serve for our country.” The filming of that scene is flawless and they created the effect by holding doggie treats over the dogs to make them look up in the direction of the flag.

Puppy Bowl XX began with hosts Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks introducing the beginning lineup. Schachner and his own dog, a Bichon Frisé/poodle mix named Whistle, were this year’s referees and kept an eye on the puppies, making final calls on scoring for each team. My favorite part of this year’s Puppy Bowl was when ‘Travis Klawce’ and ‘Taylor Sniffed’ appeared as celebrity dog doppelgangers watching the game from a box in the audience. Throughout the show, other celebrity dog doppelgangers appeared in the box to support the puppy players.

Previous Puppy Bowls have been opened by First Ladies Michelle Obama and Jill Biden and a team-up between Snoop Dog and Martha Stewart. Introduced for the 20th-anniversary event, a red carpet Puppy Bowl Hall of Fame was inducted and featured previous Puppy Bowl winners and favorites from over the years. The Puppy Bowl isn’t all dogs though. This year’s Kitty Halftime Show was better than ever, featuring cats (also up for adoption), a kitty casino and a kitty motorcycle jump.  During a ‘Pup Close and Personal’ segment, sibling pups Frankie and Niner met with Curtis Robinson, Oren Burks, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Clelin Ferrell of the San Francisco 49ers for some field practice.

While I personally am a fan of Team Fluff, Team Ruff won Puppy Bowl XX and took home the idolized Waifar’s Lombarky Trophy. As the game ended, we cheered for the players, I with my Team Fluff-colored clothes and my brother with half a face of Team Ruff face paint waving a homemade paper flag. As the event concluded, Fred won most ‘pupular pup,’ Mr. Bean won the underdog award and Moosh won MVP of the game. At the end of the game, each puppy participant is shown in their new home. It is so heartwarming to see them so happy with their new families and in their new life. Be sure to watch the Puppy Bowl ahead of next year’s Super Bowl!