The Washington Redskins announced Monday they will retire their longtime team name and logo. This historic decision ends 87 years of tradition for the NFL franchise. The team began reviewing the name on July 3rd following mounting pressure from sponsors and community groups.
“On July 3rd we announced the commencement of a thorough review of the team’s name,” the organization said in their official statement. “Today, we are announcing we will be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of this review.”
The Redskins name retirement comes after decades of debate over its appropriateness. Native American groups have long criticized the name as offensive and disparaging. The Navajo Nation praised the decision in their official response to the announcement.
“July 13, 2020 is now a historic day for all Indigenous peoples around the world as the NFL Washington-based team officially announced the retirement of the racist and disparaging ‘Redskins’ team name and logo,” the Navajo Nation stated. They emphasized that they felt that the name misrepresented Indigenous history and culture.
The announcement marks a dramatic reversal for owner Dan Snyder, who previously insisted he would NEVER change the name.
Corporate sponsors apparently played a crucial role in forcing this change. FedEx, which owns naming rights to the team’s stadium, publicly called for the name change. Nike removed all Washington merchandise from their online store. Additionally, PepsiCo joined the corporate pressure campaign.
According to reports, the economic pressure proved too significant for ownership to ignore.
No New Washington Redskins Team Name
The franchise has not revealed what the new name will be. Owner Dan Snyder and head coach Ron Rivera will “develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud, tradition rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years.”
Snyder’s position evolved dramatically from his previous stance. The owner, who bought the team in 1999, previously argued the name actually honored Native Americans. However, recent community feedback changed his perspective on the issue.
“This process allows the team to take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise but also input from our alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League and the local community,” Snyder explained in his statement.
Name Changes In Other sports
The Redskins name retirement reflects broader changes happening across sports. The Cleveland Indians baseball team also announced they would review their name following similar criticism. The team previously removed their “Chief Wahoo” mascot two years ago.
However, not all teams chose to change. The Atlanta Braves and Chicago Blackhawks announced they would keep their current names despite facing similar pressure.
The decision has generated mixed reactions from fans and political figures. Some supporters welcome the change as long overdue recognition of Indigenous concerns. Others view it as unnecessary capitulation to external pressure.
The organization must now navigate the complex process of rebranding while maintaining fan loyalty. The new name and logo will need to honor the franchise’s football tradition while addressing community concerns.
Some will never come back. The outrage is real.