American Eagle Foundation appears in Budweiser Super Bowl commercial
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Those with eagle eyes will see a local celebrity on their TV screen on Sunday.
A local bird of prey will be seen in what is sure to be an iconic Super Bowl commercial for 2026; Lincoln, an American bald eagle who resides at the American Eagle Foundation in Kodak, will be featured in a commercial with the famous Budweiser Clydesdales.
“Even though he has been rehabilitated and deemed non-releasable, Lincoln is a rock star,” trainer and Avian Care Specialist Bailey Hall said. “He’s a very confident bird. He knows his people. He knows his job.”
And that job on Sunday will be to thrill millions alongside other iconic animals.
Set to the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd song “Free Bird” in a minute long commercial, Lincoln can be seen flying alongside a Budweiser Clydesdale as part of a short story of friendship from young ages and growth into “American Icons.”
“He’s done incredible work spreading conservation messaging and education, not just for bald eagles, but tons of
American wildlife,” Hall said.
The national commercial will not be Lincoln’s first flight with fame or the NFL.
Recently, Lincoln has been seen flying during the National Anthem during Philadelphia Eagle games. The AEF said his flights “not only ignites excitement among fans but also encourages them to learn more about the species and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation.”
Hall said the experience of filming with the Budweiser Clydesdales proved, again, Lincoln’s aptitude as a skilled ambassador for his species.
“Being a part of this with the Clydesdales and being able to spread that messaging has been a huge honor, not just for us, but for everybody involved,” she said. “In terms of preparing for the commercial, a lot of it Lincoln was already prepared for.
“We don’t put a bird in a situation like this if we’re not 200% confident that they are trained and ready.”
The team from AEF works hard with its birds to make for smooth experiences.
“Getting ready for this ad, (with) him flying for the other football games has been a lot of really excellent preparation,” Hall said. “But in terms of working with the Clydesdales, it’s a lot of getting him acclimated, but also just reading his body language.”
AEF CEO Jessica Hall, no relation to Bailey Hall, said she’s proud of Lincoln and the way he represents and educates crowds about wildlife and wildlife rehabilitation.
“I am proud of Lincoln’s ability to overcome every obstacle that he has to become the bald eagle ambassador for his species he is today,” she said.
Lincoln is the successor to the world’s first free-flighted bald eagle named Challenger, retired since 2019, whose first free-flight appearance was in 1996 for the Paralympics, and the AEF is celebrating his legacy and 30 years in flight.
The ability to fly independently and without restraint allows the birds to soar further and inspire the crowds with their flight.
The American Eagle Foundation is a Tennessee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation, education, and protection of the bald eagle and other birds of prey.
Founded in 1985, the foundation operates the world’s largest collection of non-releasable bald eagles at Dollywood’s Eagle Mountain Sanctuary in Pigeon Forge and is currently developing a new 57-acre headquarters in Kodak.
Supported by donations and sponsorships, the foundation leads national advocacy and grant programs to ensure the survival of raptor species.

