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'Ruff'ing the QB! The Puppy Bowl was glorious

Football shmootball! Even if you aren't a pigskin fan, there was something entertaining on TV Sunday: The Puppy Bowl! Animal Planet's counter-programming special never fails to delight, and from rambunctious pups to cheerleading hedgehogs carrying pompoms, Puppy Bowl IX was no exception.An ultra slow-mo cute cam featured dogs whisking off their own slobber in an extreme close-up, while hamsters ro
By Amy DiLuna
The referee makes a call on the field during Puppy Bowl IX.
The referee makes a call on the field during Puppy Bowl IX.Keith Barraclough / Photo by Keith Barraclough / Today

Football shmootball!

Even if you aren't a pigskin fan, there was something entertaining on TV Sunday: The Puppy Bowl! Animal Planet's counter-programming special never fails to delight, and from rambunctious pups to cheerleading hedgehogs carrying pompoms, Puppy Bowl IX was no exception.

An ultra slow-mo cute cam featured dogs whisking off their own slobber in an extreme close-up, while hamsters rode a blimp overhead. The best news: The feline babies at the kitty halftime show, as far as we could tell, did not get hassled by over-zealous canines. Here are some images from the action-packed event.

Every player needs to rest at some point.
Every player needs to rest at some point.Keith Barraclough / Animal Planet / Today
One puppy makes the first entrance onto the field.
One puppy makes the first entrance onto the field.Keith Barraclough / Animal Planet / Today
Dogs playing on the field during Puppy Bowl IX
Dogs playing on the field during Puppy Bowl IXKeith Barraclough / Animal Planet / Today
Dogs play on the field.
Dogs play on the field.Keith Barraclough / Animal Planet / Today
There was a scuffle over a stuffed bone.
There was a scuffle over a stuffed bone.Keith Barraclough / Animal Planet / Today
The referee calls nap time.
The referee calls nap time.Keith Barraclough / Animal Planet / Today
Things got a little heated when toys were involved.
Things got a little heated when toys were involved.Keith Barraclough / Photo by Keith Barraclough / Today

NBC's Brian Williams got a sneak peek at the Puppy Bowl before the main event, and made friends with some of the very special puppy players.

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