After discarding their former name a year and a half ago, the Washington NFL team has unveiled their new identity as the Washington Commanders.
The team, previously known as the “Redskins,” decided to retire the old name in July 2020 due to longstanding pressure from Native American advocacy groups. The possibility of losing sponsors ultimately compelled the team to temporarily adopt the placeholder name “Washington Football Team” while they looked for a new one, a moniker they’ve used for the last two seasons.
The choice of the new name, Commanders, pays homage to the city’s military connection. Among the deliberated options were Admirals, Armada, Brigade, Defenders, Red Hogs, and Sentinels. The fan-favorite Red Wolves was dismissed due to it already being in use by another entity.
Following Washington’s lead in moving away from Native American imagery, the MLB’s Cleveland Indians rebranded themselves as the Guardians. Meanwhile, franchises like the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Blackhawks, and Kansas City Chiefs have chosen to retain their current names despite ongoing debates.
The name “Commanders” also echoes the role of the President of the United States, who serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
