What happened: The Indianapolis Colts' mascot, Blue, was officially named the 2026 NFL Mascot of the Year on Tuesday. The award was decided by a vote of peers at the annual NFL Mascot Summit, recognizing excellence in game-day performance and community engagement.

Why it matters: This victory marks Blue's fifth Mascot of the Year title since the award's inception in 2016, following previous wins in 2019, 2023, and 2025. The program is widely recognized for its 'Choose Love' mental health campaign and its significant impact on the franchise's brand identity.

What to watch: Blue will continue his community outreach tours throughout the 2026 NFL offseason before returning to Lucas Oil Stadium for the upcoming season.