On February 2, 2022, after a two-year hiatus as the “Washington Football Team”, The NFL team hailing from our nation’s capital announced its new brand, introducing: The Washington Commanders. For some readers, neither of these names sound familiar. In order to understand, one must rewind to July 2020.
In July 2020, after much controversy surrounding the team's former name, the “Washington Redskins” decided it was time to drop the mascot that was deemed as offensive. For years, activists had been calling for the name to change, citing it was offensive and disparaging to those of Native American descent. Washington owner, Dan Snyder adamantly refused to change the name up until 2020.
Following the murder of George Floyd, there were calls for racial justice across the country. In response to these calls, eighty-seven of the team’s investors wrote a letter to the NFL and Nike, asking that they sever their relationships with the team until the name was changed. The Redskins later announced that the team would temporarily go by the “Washington Football Team” while taking the time to come up with a new name.
After two years in limbo, on February 2, 2022, the Washington Football Team announced their transition to the Washington Commanders. According to the official press release, “The result of an 18-month collaborative process with fans, alumni, players, community leaders and stakeholders across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area, Commanders brings to life the commitment to service and leadership that defines the DMV community. Importantly, the team's new identity also represents the values that bond the Burgundy & Gold family, including resilience, grit, tradition, and unity, and honors the progress and potential of its present and future.”
This name has also met with much backlash, but this time it is coming from the fans. According to the Washington Post study, 31 percent of fans dislike the new name while 17 responded that they hate the new name. The most positive reviews consist of fans claiming that they will “come around to it” or “could have been worse.”
“As a long-time fan it’s pretty disappointing I can’t lie. I wasn’t expecting much though, the organization will go nowhere until we get a new owner. Dan Snyder is about as toxic as they come,” Nathan Laughlin ‘23 said.
Many fans, while not necessarily thrilled with the name, are satisfied with the fact that the team no longer calls itself the Redskins. “I think a change of name was a very appropriate decision because I would like to think we’ve collectively reached a point where we can agree that you can’t use people-groups as mascots (especially if it’s a people-group that has been on the receiving end of some pretty horrendous acts by majority cultures). I feel like they could’ve chosen something a little cooler than the commanders but who am I to say?” DC native and Emerson Moore ‘22, a DC native, said.
There are, however, more positive reactions. DC sports fan Luke Laughlin ‘25 highlighted excitement over the new uniforms. “As a lifelong Washington fan, I love that Washington decided to keep the burgundy and yellow color scheme for the new jerseys. Additionally, I also love the new black jerseys. I can’t wait to see them in action this coming season,” he said.
“I never knew anyone who would call themselves a serious Redskins fan growing up, and I think part of that was because of all the pushback with the name. I love that the new Commanders uniforms and memorabilia have the DC flag on them. I hope all the new branding brings some more spirit to fans at home because DC natives love their city so much!” Lydia Moore ‘25, another DC native, said. Moore shows how it was hard for DC fans to get behind a name with so much controversy while also touching on an aspect of the Commanders’ rebranding that many DC fans are excited about. It seems as if the organization is making efforts to plug into the city they call home.
Although the fans are not thrilled, I think there would have been resistance regardless. There will always be people against change. The new name may not be popular but it is nowhere near as controversial as the Redskins. The team has struggled for the past two years, but once they draft a new quarterback, and begin playing, fans will begin to come around to the newly branded franchise. As a Washington DC sports fan, disappointment is always to be expected, however, this marks a new era for DC football, and maybe, just maybe, there is hope at the end of the tunnel.