Lincoln the Bald Eagle Stars with Budweiser Clydesdale in Super Bowl LX Ad “American Icons”
While the Philadelphia Eagles’ season may have ended early, fans still have a reason to cheer this Super Bowl. Lincoln, the 28-year-old bald eagle known for soaring over Lincoln Financial Field before games, takes flight on a different stage this year — starring alongside a Budweiser Clydesdale in the brewery’s powerful Super Bowl LX ad titled “American Icons.”
A Meeting of American Legends
The commercial, set to the soaring strains of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird,” follows the touching friendship between Lincoln and the iconic Clydesdale. The 60-second spot is a tribute to enduring American symbols and the bond between two majestic creatures — one of the sky, and one of the land.
“It was really like these two icons of America coming together,” said Jessica Hall, CEO of the American Eagle Foundation. “The Clydesdales have been icons for over 100 years, and the bald eagle has been on the Great Seal for over 200 years. Seeing them together in such a moving way was spectacular.”
From the Field to the Screen
The collaboration began in summer 2025, with Lincoln and his team traveling from Kodak, Tennessee, to California for filming. Though this marks Lincoln’s first commercial appearance, he’s no stranger to cross-country travel — or crowds. Since debuting as the Eagles’ official living mascot in the 2024 NFL season, he’s been dazzling fans with free-flight performances at Lincoln Financial Field.
Lincoln’s care team makes sure he travels in comfort. He doesn’t get his own hotel room, but he does have a specially darkened crate for rest and calm. “Seeing Lincoln soaring through the skies with his wings spread out, doing what he does best — it never gets old,” Hall added. “Meeting the Clydesdale was just as incredible. Both teams were fascinated by each other’s animals.”
A Tribute to American Spirit
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Henry-Alex Rubin, the commercial is part of Budweiser’s ongoing “Made of America” campaign, and it holds extra weight in 2026 — marking Budweiser’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th birthday.
“‘American Icons’ brings our heritage to life through powerful storytelling,” said Todd Allen, Senior VP of Marketing at Budweiser. “The spot is a tribute to two enduring symbols of our country — the Budweiser Clydesdales and the American bald eagle — and will leave fans both awe-struck and proud.”
Training for Greatness
Though Lincoln has been performing free flights since 2001, 2024 was his first year flying in large NFL stadiums. To prepare, he trained at Carson-Newman University and Tucker Stadium in Tennessee. The road wasn’t without challenges — including a dramatic encounter with a territorial osprey during a training flight.
“We learned Lincoln doesn’t mind dogs or ospreys,” recalled Katelyn Jennings of the American Eagle Foundation. “At a Carson-Newman game, an osprey dove toward him, but he just stared back like, ‘What are you doing here?’ and kept flying.”
Now, a Clydesdale has joined his list of animal interactions — and possibly, lifelong friendships.
As Lincoln soars once again, this time into living rooms across the nation, he carries with him the story of tradition, resilience, and the enduring spirit of America — a perfect pairing with Budweiser’s timeless Clydesdales.