After decades of deliberation, the NFL team representing the nation’s capital decided to rethink their name.
On July 3, 2020, the Washington Football Team released a statement indicating the need to change its name.
“In light of recent events around our country and feedback from our community, the Washington Redskins are announcing the team will undergo a thorough review of the team’s name,” the statement said.
For years, Dan Snyder, the president of the WFT, consistently rejected the idea of changing the team’s name.
In a 2013 interview with USA Today, Snyder said, “We’ll never change the name … It’s that simple. NEVER — you can use caps.”
Snyder did not consider changing the team’s name until companies such as Nike and FedEx threatened to end their business relationships with the team unless the team name changed.
The statement was released more than 18 months ago and fans have yet to see a new name. The release of the WFT’s new name is expected to be released on Feb. 2 and it is no surprise fans have speculated what the new name might be.
Fans have accumulated a list of possible names for the WFT. Out of the plethora of new names, there seem to be a few fan favorites that top this list.
Washington Warriors
Fans are confused enough with the San Francisco Giants and the New York Giants. There is no need to confuse them even more with another professional team named the Warriors.
Warriors as mascots have historically upheld American Indian stereotypes. According to Erik Brady of USA Today, “Some Washington fans would see it as an invitation to continue dressing up as play Indians — more white guys in war paint.”
Harmful Native American stereotypes will continue to exist as long as teams continue to use Native Americans as mascots.
Washington Presidents
It is no secret that D.C. teams enjoy reminding people they are from the nation’s capital. The Nationals have mascots of former presidents run all over the field during games. What better way of reminding competitors that you are from D.C., other than naming your team the Washington Presidents?
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders is an assertive name. A commander is someone who takes control and is a leader. With a name like this, the WFT may have a chance to be NLF champs, a claim they have not had since 1991. The Commanders is currently a fan favorite and with good reasoning. On Twitter, fans were speculating that the WFT may have accidentally leaked their new logo, revealing the WFT’s new name to be the Commanders.
While this Twitter thread consists of mere speculations, it is clear that WFT fans are ready for their new name.
The Washington Football Team:
Fans have become accustomed to the WFT. What was once a placeholder is now a household name. Jason Wright, the president of the WFT, believes that fans are warming up to the name.
"Some of the things that are emerging from that are the Washington Football Team has something that ties deeply to our history,” Wright said. “It feels like that isn't jettisoning all the things we have been in the past, whereas something that's completely new might feel that way.”
If fans like this name, why change a perfectly good name?
While these are all speculations, fans will receive a definitive answer Feb. 2.
