I was discovered long ago I burn in every heart that dares I rise again when thunder flares

In an arena of heat I flex and I shine, Crowds roar louder than any lover of mine. Steel meets skin in a dangerous dance, Each thrust and parry a fevered romance. I fight for their pleasure, bare in the sun, Tell me, who am I when the cheering’s begun?

My first five refer to a group of those famously persecuted in New Orleans My last three can lift more than ten times their own weight Altogether, we’re a legally or morally binding agreement

I share my name with a capital city; You’ll think my red color is fiery and pretty; I was born in the remnants of a Life u sending; I’m not really real, but what’s wrong with pretending?

A creature with no bones, Fuzzy to the touch, Famous in eighties homes, But now not around so much. Now they'd be called way too woke, But back then flooded your TV, Movies cartoons, adverts - folks! They were ubiquitous to see. Famous for a special stare, A beam of arctic empathy, Now they're gone IDK where, Who were they; can you tell me?