The NFL team formerly known as the Washington Redskins will now temporarily be named “Washington Football Team” until another name is chosen, ESPN reports.
What We Know:
- The new name comes a week after the franchise announced that it would retire the “Redskins” name and logo as calls for racial equality have stirred protests around the country. The Redskins name has long been criticized by Native American groups as an ethnic slur.
- The new name is not a permanent one, but rather a temporary place holder until the organization finalizes a new name that best fits the franchise. The Washington Football Team will continue its efforts to remove the “Redskins” name and logo from all physical and digital platforms, hoping to be completely removed of it by the time of its home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 13.
Effective immediately, Washington will call itself the “Washington Football Team”, pending adoption of a new name, sources tell ESPN.
This is not a final renaming and rebranding for team; this is the name it wants to use until pending adoption of a new name in the future. pic.twitter.com/sBs0Uo0ICm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 23, 2020
- The team will still wear its traditional burgundy and gold, while players helmets will feature their numbers rather than the “Redskins” logo. While fans will be able to purchase Washington Football Team merchandise within the coming days, the franchise is seeking the feedback of players, alumni, fans, sponsors and the community for the team name it will use in the future.
- Owner Dan Snyder had said for years that he would not change the team’s name but social and economic pressures, including from key sponsors like FedEx and PepsiCo, following the death of George Floyd and the public’s calls for social justice created a new sense of urgency.
- Snyder and Head Coach Ron Rivera have been working on coming up with a new name for team. Some possible options include the “Redtails” after the Tuskeegee Airmen, the “Warriors,” “Senators” and “Braves,” the team’s original name.
The decision comes a few days after the NFL announced that it will forego its preseason due to Coronavirus concerns.
