Prepare for some “ruff” competition at this year’s most anticipated sporting event: Puppy Bowl XIII.

As 78 rescue puppies face off in an epic game of Team Fluff vs. Team Ruff in the hours before the Super Bowl, three all-star players with disabilities, Doobert, Lucky and Winston, are making this year’s championship one of the most inclusive yet.

Doobert, an adorable, deaf puppy from Goochland, is taking the starting lineup on Animal Planet’s “Puppy Bowl” on Super Bowl Sunday.

“The amount of energy and drive on that field – this is the best Puppy Bowl I’ve ever seen,” said referee Dan Schachner, who has been calling the shots at the beloved games for the last six years.

The game, which features puppies between 12 and 20 weeks old, will air on Animal Planet on Sunday February 5, before the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots battle it out in Houston. Roughly 78 puppies will be “competing” in the event, representing 34 rescue organizations from 22 states.

But this year’s “Puppy Bowl” will feature the most disabled puppies ever.

“There are so many wonderful animals in rescues across the country that have special needs who should not be overlooked, “said Dawn Sinsel, executive producer of the “Puppy Bowl.” “It was important to us to highlight what loving pets they make for the right family.”

And she added, “We are thrilled to say that all three dogs have been adopted to wonderful homes.”

The focus of the program is to not only provide a whimsical alternative for sports and animal lovers, but to promote animal adoptions and help lessen the strain on overcrowded shelter facilities.

Puppy Bowl XIII will air on Animal Planet Sunday, Feb. 5 with programming kicking off at 2 p.m. The show will repeat throughout the day. Super Bowl LI (NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas) featuring the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons kicks off at 3:30 PM, Sunday Feb.5 on FOX!

Additional information on the Puppy Bowl can be found at www.AnimalPlanet.com