Why were the Washington Redskins renamed the Commanders?

The Washington Commanders have played 91 NFL seasons. During this time, the team’s name has changed four times.

When the football team was founded in 1932, it was known as the Boston Braves. The next year, they were renamed the Boston Redskins. They relocated to Washington in 1937.

The squad was known as the Washington Redskins for the following 86 years. They changed their name to the Washington Football Team in 2020. Their name was officially changed to the Washington Commanders in February 2022.

But what prompted the club to change the name of their franchise twice in such a short period of time?

Why did the Washington Redskins pick the name Commanders?

For many years, the name ‘Redskins’ was fraught with controversy since Native Americans saw it as a racist insult. Despite the fact that the Washington Football Team declared that they chose this name to commemorate Native American tribes, it has been extensively criticized, and many activists consider it disrespectful.

For decades, Native Americans protested and demanded that the football team’s name be altered. In 1972, a Native American delegation visited with the team’s president, Edward Bennett, and encouraged him to change the team’s name.

Although the team’s name stayed the same, the words of their fight song were modified from “Scalp ‘um” to “Beat ’em.” The cheerleaders’ black-braided wigs were also removed.

The team experienced public criticism in 2020 to remove its derogatory name and emblem. As the backlash grew across the country, the team’s key sponsors, including Nike and FedEx, pressed Washington to alter its name.

The team’s owners ultimately decided to act in July 2020, announcing that the team would compete under the moniker Washington Football Team. It was a temporary name that would be used until the franchise settled on a new, non-offensive name for the team.

Washington unveiled the seven possible names for the franchise in January 2022: Armada, Brigade, Red Hogs, Presidents, Commanders, RedWolves, and Defenders.

A month later, on February 2, 2022, Washington revealed the Washington Commanders as their new name. Dan Synder, the team’s then-owner, stated in a statement:

“As we begin our 90th season, it is critical for our organization and fans to honor our traditions, history, legacy, and the greats who have come before us.” We will continue to revere and represent the Burgundy and Gold while charting a new course in Washington. Although this is the first day for the Washington Commanders, we are and will always be Washington.”

Washington played two seasons under the moniker “Football Team” before changing to the Washington Commanders in 2022. Many fans and celebrities did not find the name appealing, although indications indicate that the Commanders will be the franchise’s long-term moniker.

The Washington Capitals are in their 92nd season in the league. So far, the team has won two NFL titles and three Super Bowls.

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