NFL Stars Hit Peak Spooky Season
Players and families at the Lions and 49ers hosted elaborate parties, with costumes ranging from pop culture icons to family themes.
By Rahul Sato ·
The 2026 NFL Halloween season is in full swing as players showcase their costumes ahead of Saturday's holiday.
The San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions hosted their annual parties during bye weeks, featuring elaborate outfits from their rosters. Nate Dobbs dressed as Daejon Love, the individual arrested earlier this season on wire fraud charges. Nick Bosa and his partner Ella Ailiff appeared as Crimson Chin and Cleft the Boy Chin Wonder from The Fairly OddParents. The 49ers' locker room event was hosted by Brock Purdy and his wife, who are expecting a child.
The Detroit Lions' celebration was led by Aidan Hutchinson, who dressed as Waluigi from the Super Mario franchise. He cited fan comments about his running style as inspiration for the choice. Amon-Ra St. Brown helped organize the event. Jahmyr Gibbs wore a Michael Jackson outfit, noting he had planned the look for months in anticipation of the singer's new movie release.
Other teams joined the tradition with distinct themes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' rookies presented a group costume featuring Woody from Toy Story, a makeshift 50 Cent character made with aluminum foil, and a Lightning McQueen look. Jared Goff's waterboy costume circulated widely on social media. Washington Commanders defensive back Mikey Sainristil and his family dressed as grandparents, using gray wigs and glasses to complete the ensemble.
Halloween traditions in the NFL often extend beyond pregame entrances to include team parties and family events. The 49ers and Lions have long-standing histories of these gatherings. Last year, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick attended his team's event dressed as a pirate. This year, the focus remains on player creativity and family participation during the Week 8 break.
With Halloween falling on a Saturday, the holiday weekend concludes before the Sunday regular season games. Players may retire their costumes after the holiday, though some might carry the theme into their Week 8 preparations. The league's schedule allows for these mid-season breaks, providing a natural window for the annual costume competition.
Source: CBS Sports
