Washington selects Commanders as new NFL team name after two-season process

LANDOVER, Md. — It is the Washington Commanders.

After 87 years with its former title and two years because the Washington Soccer Crew, the franchise introduced Wednesday morning that its new title can be the Commanders. The workforce additionally unveiled its new brand and uniforms.

Washington’s leaders — workforce president Jason Wright and coach Ron Rivera — had harassed through the 20-month course of that the franchise want to incorporate the navy due to its connection to the nation’s capital. Commander is a time period used most frequently within the navy as a naval officer rank, however it additionally can be utilized as a generic time period.

One legacy. One unified future.

We’re the Washington Commanders #TakeCommand pic.twitter.com/Eav9NOV5Mm

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 2, 2022

Wright informed the assembled crowd, which included 17 alumni members, that “we landed on this partially as a result of we believed the Washington Commanders can carry the wealthy legacy of this workforce, a championship legacy. It is received the load and heft of one thing befitting a 90-year franchise. It is one thing that broadly resonated with our followers on this course of and one thing that embodies the values of service and management that characterizes the DMV [D.C., Maryland, Virginia region].”

“What this effort actually is at its core will not be touchdown on a reputation that was going to be unanimously liked by all people however to begin a course of by which we are able to proceed to protect what’s finest in regards to the burgundy and gold,” Wright added. “These have been colours and a reputation and a franchise that, when you’ve gotten hassle speaking to one another on different subjects, you possibly can come collectively and hug and high-five and be one whereas cheering this workforce on.”

Washington proprietor Dan Snyder spoke for 45 seconds earlier than turning it over to his spouse and workforce co-CEO Tanya Snyder. Dan Snyder, who was adamant for years that he would by no means change the title, strode to the rostrum in a burgundy coat with gold sleeves and a burgundy W outlined in gold above the guts.

“At present’s an enormous day for our workforce, our followers, a day by which we embark on a brand new chapter,” Dan Snyder mentioned. “It has been a protracted journey to get up to now.”

Washington unveiled three uniforms Wednesday: an all-white set with burgundy numbers and sleeves which have a black stripe sandwiched by white and burgundy, an all-burgundy jersey with gold numbers and sleeves which have a skinny white stripe in between two gold stripes, and an all-black one which has gold numbers and a patch on the aspect with two burgundy stripes and three burgundy stars on a gold background. The black jerseys will use a black helmet with gold numbers on the aspect and a gold W on the entrance. The opposite two function a burgundy helmet with a gold W on the aspect and a gold stripe down the center.

“Once I first noticed [the name], I noticed it with the uniforms,” mentioned defensive deal with Jonathan Allen, the lone present participant on the ceremony. “When you’re trying simply on the title, effectively, the title doesn’t suggest something to you. There isn’t any historical past there. You’ve got by no means seen anybody play for that workforce, there is not any uniforms, so clearly you are not going to love it. However when you come out, you see the ambiance, you see the brand new helmets, you see the brand new uniform, you see the gamers sporting it, you see the tradition we have constructed round it, it may make lots of people joyful.”

Among the many alumni in attendance, linebacker London Fletcher mentioned the brand new uniforms “within the phrases of the kids, are fireplace,” whereas former vast receiver Gary Clark mentioned he preferred the brand new title and that it is “like two corporations merging collectively.”

Washington’s quest for a brand new title started in July 2020, following protests throughout america after the homicide of George Floyd in Minnesota. Round that point, Snyder began having discussions with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about probably altering the title that was thought of by some to be offensive and racist. The workforce saved its burgundy and gold colours however is completed with Native American imagery.

Crystal Echo Hawk, government director of the nonprofit group IllumiNative, had known as Wednesday a “momentous second” and mentioned they will “put a horrible chapter to relaxation. There’s nonetheless a number of therapeutic that should occur, so I do not suppose the workforce’s work with regard to reconciliation and therapeutic is over.”

“The NFL will not be performed,” Crystal Echo Hawk added. “The [Kansas City] Chiefs should step up and comply with the lead and be on the fitting aspect of historical past. Washington has proven these rebrandings may be profitable. It is a good factor. All eyes flip to the Chiefs.”

Ray Halbritter, the nation consultant and CEO of Oneida Nation Enterprises, mentioned the brand new title is vital for all Native People, however particularly future generations.

“They will not be subjected to such an offensive and dangerous slur each Sunday through the soccer season,” Halbritter mentioned. “It is an excellent second for Washington followers. They need to assist a workforce, to like a workforce, and now they will not be put in place having to try this with a dictionary-defined slur as a reputation.”

The franchise mentioned on July 3, 2020, that it could bear an intensive overview of its former title. Ten days later, it introduced that it was retiring its earlier title and adopting Soccer Crew as a brief moniker.

Snyder for years had resisted altering the title, telling USA At present in 2013 to “put it in all caps” that he would by no means make such a transfer. Some who’ve labored for Snyder mentioned they believed he would reasonably promote the workforce than use a brand new title.

However that modified through the spring and early summer time of 2020. In June of that 12 months, a letter signed by 87 traders and shareholders with a complete price of $620 billion was despatched to sponsors FedEx, PepsiCo and Nike, asking them to cease doing enterprise with the workforce until its title was modified. When that was reported by Adweek.com, a number of individuals — together with present and former workers — echoed the identical thought: It is over. Most, if not all, had been unaware {that a} doable change was already within the works.

A small group within the group, together with Snyder and Rivera, mentioned a brand new title on the time, however it was shelved. On the time, there have been reviews of trademark points holding up a doable new title.

The search started extra in earnest when the franchise employed Wright a month later. Wright’s group met with alumni, followers and a few Native People through the course of, preserving followers apprised with updates on the workforce’s web site, whether or not by video or by way of his President’s Briefs. In July 2021, Wright introduced the brand new title wouldn’t include any Native American reference or imagery.

Final month, Wright mentioned one widespread title amongst followers, RedWolves, was dropped due to emblems held by others.

Former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann, who first joined the group in 1974 and was a part of its first Tremendous Bowl triumph after the 1982 season, mentioned, “Give it just a little time. I say to all people simply give it an opportunity to seep in just a little bit.

“… It is a lot greater than a reputation, it is a new starting as a corporation,” Theismann added. “Issues have modified quite a bit. Persons are not opposed to alter. They’re against being modified. We’re not attempting to alter anyone. All we have performed is modified and adjusted the title.”

Wright mentioned all through the method that he didn’t need to be seen as an growth franchise. In the course of the previous two seasons, the workforce had “1932” (the 12 months the franchise was established) painted on the sphere and adorned on indicators with the title “Soccer Crew.”