Logo of a college football team that plays in the Missouri Valley Conference, the Illinois State Redbirds. The school’s early teams, which began play in 1887, were known as the Fighting Teachers and the Cardinals, but were renamed the Redbirds in 1923. They have won 10 conference titles over the years. Former Redbirds who have played pro football include Mike Prior, Mike Rodenhauser, Dennis Nelson, Estus Hood, Aveion Cason, Shelby Harris, Laurent Robinson and James O’Shaughnessey.