NASHVILLE — Before Challenger, a bald eagle, soars around the stadium for his stirring portion of the pregame routine, he takes the same trip upstairs as many fans heading to the upper deck.

He rides the elevator.

Challenger’s trick is swooping from his perch high above the field and circling over the fans on his way down to the waiting left arm of one of his handlers, with the occasional extra loop around the field.

“He recognizes people are clapping, applauding, taking pictures,” said Al Louis Cecere, founder and president of the nonprofit American Eagle Foundation, who is also a handler. “Who knows? We can’t totally get into Challenger’s mind, but I think he kind of enjoys it.”

Challenger has become a regular during national anthems since the Tennessee Titans moved into their current stadium in 1999, but this eagle has flown at N.F.L. stadiums in Green Bay, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minnesota and Detroit, with Houston on tap later this year. Philadelphia is also a frequent stop for Challenger, with the Eagles bringing the bald eagle to several games this season.