Originally published August 17, 2023 8:00 pm PDT
The petition is led by a group of American Indians.
QUICK FACTS:
- A petition to change the NFL team “Washington Commanders” back to the “Washington Redskins” has found massive online success.
- The Redskins became the Commanders during the last season after former owner Dan Snyder gave in to left-wing calls to change the allegedly racist name.
- For two years, the team was known as the “Washington Football Team.”
- The “Reclaim the Name” petition, led by the American Indian group Native American Guardians Association, urges the team “to reconsider the recent name change from the Redskins to the Commanders. We believe that restoring the original name, the Redskins, is the right decision for the team, its loyal fanbase, and the legacy it represents.”
- “The name ‘Commanders’ fails to capture the essence, tradition, and historical weight associated with the Redskins,” the petition reads. “It lacks the uniqueness, emotional connection, and pride that our team’s original name embodies. The change to ‘Commanders’ dilutes our team’s identity and weakens the connection with its devoted fanbase. By restoring the Redskins name, we reinstate a symbol of unity, strength, and shared identity that has inspired generations of fans.”
- The group notes, “We believe that the name Redskins can be a catalyst for positive change, fostering understanding and appreciation for Native American heritage through community outreach, education, and collaboration.”
- By signing the petition, “you will honor the history, tradition, and emotional connection that millions of fans have forged with the team. We stand united in our belief that this change will strengthen the team’s identity, engage the fanbase, and promote a spirit of unity and understanding,” the petition explains.
POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE:
- Josh Harris and a group of investors purchased the NFL team from Dan Snyder, sparking rumors that the Commanders might see a return to the name “Redskins.”
- When the team’s head coach Ron Rivera was asked by a reporter what he thinks of people “using the old team name,” Rivera said, “Mr. Harris and that ownership group talked extensively about bringing back the glory.”
- “It’s hard to escape it, it really is,” he added, noting that the term Redskins is used with the “utmost respect” for American Indians.
BACKGROUND:
- Amid concerns about racism in sports, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Todd Bowles said in October that coaches “don’t look at what color we are when we coach against each other; we just know each other.”
- “I have a lot of very good white friends that coach in this league as well, and I don’t think it’s a big deal as far as us coaching against each other, I think it’s normal. Wilks got an opportunity to do a good job. Hopefully he does it. And we coach ball, we don’t look at color,” Bowles added.
- “Well, when you say, ‘They see you guys,’ and ‘look like them and grew up like them,’ it means that we’re oddballs to begin with. I think the minute you guys stop making a big deal about it, everybody else will as well,” Bowles went on.
