The TV networks have been notably, um, unenthusiastic about running PETA's Super Bowl ads, so this year PETA is planning to take its message directly to the players and fans by placing billboards in the teams' hometowns of New York and Boston as well as Indianapolis, which is hosting the game, making an irreverent plea for people to put down the chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday.

Chickens © iStockphoto.com/Sunnybeach

Why Worry About Wings?

It's estimated that some 600 million chickens are killed for the wings consumed just during the Super Bowl. Yikes! And that's after the abuse they all suffered through on factory farms.

Not only is this wing-eating obsession cruel, it also shows a lack of imagination. After all, there are so many mouth-watering alternatives to the old same-old same-old. For vegan game-day treats that will satisfy the most ravenous sports fan, check out these recipes for fab finger foods that won't cost birds their limbs.

Try Tasty Alternatives!

If your party guests insist on being served wings, try the meatless variety, like Gardein's buffalo "wings"—the choice of the NFL's Ricky Williams—or just roll your own!

If "fantasy football" for you means a stadium where healthy foods are more abundant than foam fingers, check out this year's ranking of the top five most vegetarian-friendly stadiums in the NFL.

1. Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles)
   Defending last year's title, Lincoln Financial claims top honors again with a "dream team" of tasty, healthy vegetarian options for Eagles fans. Their taste buds get some Philadelphia freedom from boring burgers and dogs, with faux-steak and "chicken-steak" sandwiches, a brand-new seitan brisket, veggie dogs, black-bean and garden burgers, and vegetable wraps. In premium dining areas, fans can also choose a grilled vegetable hoagie, fresh roasted vegetables, hummus with pita chips, fruit, or a vegetable platter. 
2. O.co Coliseum (Oakland Raiders)
   With the Raiders showing signs this season of turning things around, it's the perfect time for fans to turn around their health by enjoying low-fat, protein-packed, delicious vegetarian meals. The team already has one "super bowl" this year: the delicious veggie burrito bowl. The stadium also offers the classic veggie burrito, veggie dog, and veggie burger in concessions and a chipotle black-bean burger, grilled portobello sandwich, grilled vegetables, hummus, crudités, and fruit in premium areas.
3. Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers)
   Packers fans might be inspired to do the Aaron Rodgers championship belt touchdown dance after sinking their teeth into a mouthwatering, meat-free bratwurst or veggie burger. They can also stay lean and green with such choices as the grilled vegetable pasta salad, peanutty dan dan noodles, spicy orange chili glass noodles, vegetables with hummus, quinoa, warm black-eyed pea salad, baked potato, and the classic PB&J.  
4. Gillette Stadium (New England Patriots)
   Gillette Stadium has more delicious vegetarian options than the Pats have weapons on offense. This is the stadium's first time on our list, but we're betting that with foods like these, it won't be the last. Choices include a veggie burger and veggie dog, hummus with vegetables, and fruit cups, and in premium areas, a vegetable gyro and a fresh fruit plate.
5. Georgia Dome (Atlanta Falcons)
   Between sampling the delicious vegetarian options and watching Tony Gonzalez climb the all-time receptions list, Georgia Dome is the place to be for animal-friendly football fans. Birds of a feather are flocking to the concessions stands for veggie burgers, veggie dogs, PB&J, vegetables with hummus, salads, and fruit cups. In premium areas, fans can order grilled vegetable pasta salad, peanutty dan dan noodles, spicy orange chili glass noodles, quinoa, warm black-eyed pea salad, or an Eden Organic berry mix.

Scoring honorable mentions are the San Diego Chargers' Qualcomm Stadium, the Seattle Seahawks' CenturyLink Field, the San Francisco 49ers' Candlestick Park, and the Detroit Lions' Ford Field.

Football fans don't have to leave their health to a last-minute Hail Mary. They can start and finish strong with foods that don't cause unnecessary roughness to their bodies or to animals and that taste so good that fans won't care if they get fined for excessive celebration.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

My husband probably thinks that I watch Atlanta Falcons games with him to be supportive of his favorite team, but I'll confess, it's for tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Last Sunday's game was especially cool because toned Tony edged out Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison to become second in career receptions, with 1,104 catches. He now trails only Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. But Tony got one reception that Rice never did: a warm reception from compassionate folks everywhere for the naked anti-fur ad that he and his lovely wife, October, starred in.

Tight end indeed. 

Written by Michelle Sherrow

In the wake of news reports that Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett recently acquired a "pet" alligator, whom he named Nino, PETA sent the defensive back a letter giving him a heads up that owning an alligator is unlawful in Arizona without a special permit and is heavily regulated in Florida (where Dockett acquired Nino). We've offered to help Dockett find a suitable permanent habitat for Nino.
 

ljmacphee/cc by 2.0

 
Alligators in the wild roam freely and protect their territories, travel long distances, and thrive in the rivers and lakes that they call home. They never become "tame," and forcing one to live in confinement only makes for a frustrated and unhappy animal. Not only is this unfair to this gator, it is also dangerous for everyone.

We hope Dockett will take us up on our offer, and in the meantime, you can help by spreading the word about the miserable lives led by exotic animals kept as "pets."
 

Written by Jennifer O'Connor

Have you ever wondered what an uncooked McNugget looks like? Or who were the first vegans? How about who an NFL blogger would rather not have on the "skins" team? It's all here in our Friday afternoon helping of Internet Soup.
 

• Can you say "McNausea?"
• A much happier meal: A 12-year-old pianist strikes a high note for chickens.
• Actor and activist Meggan Anderson stars in a video showing what it would be like if humans were the experimental subjects.
• The bacon is bringing itself home in the form of raw sewage.
• A saber-toothed vegetarian would have really mowed through a salad.
• Which man opposed slavery, supported women's rights, and was vegan in the 1830s? 
• A vegetarian makes her meat-laden airplane meal take flight. (Please do not try this at home. Or on a plane.) 
• NFL.com doesn't want certain guys posing nude for PETA. It's OK, fellas, we'll still let you.
   

Written by Michelle Sherrow

clarkmoody/CC by 2.0

Here it is: PETA's third annual list of top vegetarian-friendly NFL stadiums. Football and food fans will rush to try the tasty eats available at these concession stands.

1. Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles)
Flying high at number one is the Eagles' Lincoln Financial Field, where protein-packed mock-steak sandwiches, faux-chicken sandwiches, veggie dogs, and veggie burgers are coming off the grill faster than DeSean Jackson in the open field.

2. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland Raiders)
The only things scarier than a masked Raiders fan are the artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol lurking in meat. Fans of the Silver and Black who want to be around for seasons to come should choose the stadium's delicious vegetarian options, such as veggie burritos, veggie burgers, and (in premium seating areas) meat-free fajitas.

3. Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers)
At Lambeau Field, Packers fans are picking up hearty, meat-free fare—including veggie bratwurst, veggie burgers, and baked potatoes—quicker than Charles Woodson picks off errant passes.

4. Georgia Dome (Atlanta Falcons
Dirty Bird fans can get a clean bill of health if they stick to the stadium's heart-healthy vegetarian options, such as veggie burgers and veggie dogs. Falcons fans who like sweets and are sweet to animals can also enjoy vegan chocolate-chip cupcakes.

5. (Tie) Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs)
Why has Arrowhead long been known as the loudest stadium in football? The crowd has been clamoring for more vegetarian options! Well, they got 'em. PETA recommends the lentil or veggie burgers instead of artery-clogging barbecue as well as the baked potatoes and (in premium areas) pasta with marinara sauce.

5. (Tie) Ford Field (Detroit Lions)
With Ndamukong Suh helping turn the franchise around, the Mu Shu Tofu Wrap at Ford Field is soon to be the Mu Suh Tofu Wrap. Lions fans can also sink their teeth into mouth-watering veggie burgers, fruit cups, and (in premium areas) grilled vegetable pasta salad with grilled zucchini, red onion, and red peppers.

Congrats to all the winners. And now the big question: Who's hungry?

Written by Karin Bennett

I think I'm finally morphing into a football fan. First, I learned about all the excellent veggie fare at football stadiums, and today PETA released an exclusive interview with hunky football tight end Tony Gonzalez, and his gaga-gorgeous wife, October.

After their sexy shoot for a new anti-fur ad for PETA, the couple sat down to talk about the benefits of a plant-based diet. In the interview, Tony calls the cruel treatment of animals on factory farms "appalling" and describes how his health improved dramatically after ditching meat and dairy products two years ago.

On the many benefits of his mainly plant-based diet, Tony says, "I'm going into my 13th year in the NFL, and I switched over [to a plant-based diet] two years ago. … [T]he day after a game, everybody's sore … and I'm jumping rope and they're looking at me like, 'Man you're supposed to be the old guy on the team. You're acting like you're the youngest guy on the team.'"

I may be Tony's newest admirer, but I have no doubt that many of his longtime fans will follow his lead and explore meat-free cuisine.

Written by Karin Bennett

favthingsatl / CC

I'm not a huge football fan (I prefer baseball)—but I sure do like to eat. The meat-free offerings at the pro football stadiums listed below would be enough to convince me to shiver through a Sunday afternoon game, sans face paint, of course.

10. San Diego Chargers fans bolt to the concession stands at Qualcomm Stadium for veggie burgers, fruit salads, vegetable plates, taco salads, and the baked potato bar. There's even a seven-layer dip, which can be made vegan upon request.
9. The cruelty-free cuisine at Heinz Field—including veggie dogs, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, crudités, pasta, fresh fruit, and hummus—provide Pittsburgh Steelers fans with a winning lineup.
8. Tony Gonzalez, tight end for the Atlanta Falcons, notes the benefits that his nearly-vegan diet has on his game. His team's new home, the Georgia Dome, has plenty of savory meat-free options, including veggie burgers, a baked potato bar, a salad bar, baked five-spice seasoned tofu, curried grilled tofu cutlets, soba noodle stir-fry, and much more.
7. Have the Purple People Eaters become the Purple Veggie Eaters? Methinks so. After all, the Metrodome offers Minnesota Vikings fans a tantalizing lineup that includes veggie burgers, wraps, black-bean burgers, hummus, salads, fruit platters, and veggie platters.
6. Animal-friendly Cleveland Browns fans score big at Cleveland Browns Stadium's concession stands, which offer veggie burgers, baked potatoes, fruit salads, and the classic crowd-pleaser, PB&J.
5. Baltimore Ravens fans tackle animal abuse and meat-related illnesses when they order veggie burgers, burritos, and wraps—as well as veggie crudités, hummus, and fruit platters—at M&T Bank Stadium.
4. Want to know the real reason why Arizona Cardinal fans do the wave? They get on their feet for the meatless fare at University of Phoenix Stadium, where they can enjoy veggie burgers, bean and rice burritos, veggie stir-fry, crudités, fresh fruit, fajita bowls, and portobello sandwiches.
3. Green Bay Packers fans line up for Lambeau Field's healthy and humane veggie options, such as veggie brats (hello!), veggie burgers, baked potatoes, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, and hummus.
2. San Francisco 49ers fans know that the long lines at Candlestick Park concession stands are worth the wait: Bellies are rewarded with mouthwatering veggie burgers, veggie dogs, and veggie burritos.
1. Delicious veggie burgers, dogs, burritos, and salads at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum help the Oakland Raiders avoid the need for a quadruple bypass surgery.

Can't make it to any of the stadiums listed above? No need to wait for the Super Bowl to invite friends over to your game-day party—any Sunday will do.

Written by Karin Bennett

boston / CC

Ever since notorious dog abuser Michael Vick got out of jail and was signed by the apparently desperate Philadelphia Eagles, there has been a lot of discussion in the press and at your local humane society and sports bar about the ethics of his return to the NFL—and all the other issues that go along with it.

Now, the Washington Post (along with media outlets everywhere) is reporting that Nike might again be teaming up with Vick for product endorsements.

Today in the Post's special online NFL feature, "The League," PETA's own Dan Shannon cuts through the noise with a guest post on the subject. Dan puts it bluntly when he writes, "If Nike and other companies know what's best for the bottom line, they won't touch Michael Vick with a 10-foot pole."

Read the whole post here.

Written by Jeff Mackey

compliance-helpline / CC

At least one corporation that stood to profit from Michael Vick's NFL reinstatement has decided to put morals before money.

While the NFL rushed to reinstate Michael Vick the second his ankle bracelet hit the floor, sporting goods giant Dick's has made it clear that it cares more about animals then it does its bottom line by refusing to sell replicas of Vick's Philadelphia Eagles jersey in any of its stores nationwide.

We hope you'll join us in letting Dick's know that it made the right decision by calling 1-877-846-9997 (dial 3 to speak to the operator). And if your dialing digits still feel like dancing, you can also call and complain to the NFL.

Written by Karin Bennett