Washington’s NFL team announced Thursday they will be called the “Washington Football Team” for the upcoming season. This placeholder name replaces the Redskins branding that the organization retired earlier this month. The franchise emphasized this is a temporary solution while they search for a permanent name.
“For updated brand clarity and consistency purposes, we will call ourselves the ‘Washington Football Team’ pending adoption of our new name,” the team said in their official news release. The organization confirmed the old logo would be completely retired by the start of the 2020 season in September.
Washington Football Team Get New Uniforms
The team revealed new uniform designs alongside the Washington Football Team announcement. The updated jerseys maintain the familiar burgundy and gold color scheme that fans have supported for decades. However, the helmets now feature a simple numeral instead of the previous Native American profile imagery.
The franchise’s social media accounts immediately adopted the temporary branding. The team’s Twitter account changed to reflect the Washington Football Team name and displayed a large “W” logo. Additionally, the official website began showcasing the new temporary identity across all platforms.
“It begins here,” the team tweeted while unveiling their new visual identity. The social media rollout demonstrated the organization’s commitment to moving forward with this temporary rebrand.
Washington Football Team Merch Already Available
New merchandise featuring the Washington Football Team name became available immediately. The team’s website displayed prototypes of the temporary logo, uniform concepts, and field designs. The mock field design included “Washington Football Team, Est. 1932” in the end zones, maintaining connection to the franchise’s founding year.
This announcement comes exactly ten days after the franchise retired the Redskins name. The July 13th decision followed mounting pressure from corporate sponsors, fans, and Native American activists. Owner Daniel Snyder had previously resisted changing the name but ultimately yielded to community pressure.
The Washington Football Team name provides stability during this transitional period. The franchise can now focus on football operations while conducting an extensive search for their permanent identity. Team officials want adequate time to develop a name that satisfies all stakeholders.
The organization plans to involve multiple groups in selecting the permanent name. Input will come from alumni, sponsors, the NFL, and the local community. This collaborative approach aims to create a unifying identity for the franchise’s future.
Cleaning Up?
The franchise also removed tributes to former owner George Preston Marshall from their facilities. Marshall had originally chosen the Redskins name in 1933 and resisted integrating African-American players. The team acknowledged this problematic history as part of their rebranding effort.
The Washington Football Team name represents a clean slate for the organization. This temporary identity allows the franchise to measure an approach that will unite their fragmenting fanbase around a new identity.
