The name of the Washington football team does not cease to cause controversy. The most recent change, which sought to appease certain sectors of the fans and the media, sparked the anger of others. Amid the debate, the owner of the team, Josh Harris, revealed whether a U-turn is possible.
Activists on social and mainstream media spent decades demanding that Washington drop the name Redskins, considering it racist. The pressure finally had an effect, the team dropped the name in 2019, and in 2022 adopted the name Commanders.
The change, however, attracted criticism from another sector of the fans, who sought to preserve a tradition that began in 1933, and from organizations such as the Native American Guardian Association (NAGA). Despite this, Harris ruled out the possibility of returning to the old name.
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It’s time to move on: Harris
After NAGA’s statement calling the Commanders’ name “indefensible,”Harris stressed that this new name “Is important in our culture [of the team], building football. It’s time to move on. We have a great brand.”
Two weeks ago, when Washington’s season ended with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, the businessman had already ruled out returning to the Redskins name, saying, “In this building, the name Commanders means something.”
However, Harris assured that they would look for ways to honor the team’s past. “As far as rebranding and bringing [back] our past-which I grew up with-and all the Super Bowl championships and our future together, you’re going to see us head back towards honoring our past and bringing it together with our future.”
Will they return to their old stadium?
Another controversy that has dogged the Commanders is their home. Northwest Stadium is considered one of the worst in the NFL, and recent incidents have only worsened that reputation. The scheduled demolition of the team’s old home, RFK Stadium, to make way for a new stadium has raised hopes among fans for a return to their roots.
Harris has not given a definitive answer on the matter, however. He admitted that RFK is easier to access for most fans and has a special place in the team’s history. But he said they are talking to all interested parties to come up with the best possible arrangement.