What did the Washington Commanders used to be called? Why did they change their name?

The Washington Commanders, who on Sunday won their first playoff game in nearly two decades, adopted their current name on February 2, 2022.

This followed a 19-month period in which the franchise was known simply as the Washington Football Team - an identity that was always expected to be a temporary solution, and one that was brought upon the historic franchise after societal pressures.

Before that time, the team was (in)famously known as the Washington Redskins, a name it had had since the 1930s (actually founded as the Boston Braves before moving city).

During the 1960s, the team started to receive criticism from a few Native Americans, who were unhappy with the name and the logo (a Native American wearing a headdress).

What does “redskin” mean?

The term “redskin” is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as an offensive word “used as an insulting and contemptuous term for an American Indian”. Native American groups and individuals had pushed for the team to change their name for decades, but the franchise’s owners did not give in.

Dan Snyder, who has owned the team since 1999, also refused to change the name despite lawsuits filed against the franchise pointing out that it promoted systemic racism.

George Floyd’s murder sparks change

However, George Floyd’s death while being apprehended by Minneapolis police in July 2020, sparked national outrage over how non-whites were being treated. Washington’s team name thus became a focus of attention once again, with corporate sponsors Nike and Pepsi threatening to withdraw financial support if the organization failed to act on the matter. FedEx, after which the franchise’s arena was named at the time, called for a name change as well.

In the face of significant economic pressure, Snyder finally gave in and the organization launched a search for a new name. While they looked for a replacement for the one which they’d borne for 87 years, they used “Washington Football Team (WFT)” as a place holder.

After sifting through more than 40,000 choices suggested by fans, the franchise finally decided on “Washington Commanders”, in homage to the US capital’s connection to the military.

Could the Commanders change name again?

Given the multiple changes already, you’d maybe think that fans would be keen to hold onto the new name. Well, apparently, that doesn’t seem to be the case. In a survey of supporters of the team last year, 58% of those who participated said they didn’t like the current name.

The feeling inside the offices, however, suggests that there will be nothing changing in the naming anytime soon, and the most important thing is to get the team successful again on the field.

It’s amazing how banners with ‘Super Bowl Champions: Washington Commanders’ could alter perceptions.

Commanders' championship bid continues

And following this weekend’s Wild Card clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Commanders are one step closer to lifting the franchise’s first NFL title since the 1991 season.

Having last won a postseason game back in 2005, Washington defeated the Buccaneers 23-20 in Tampa, to set up a Divisional round clash with the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the Detroit Lions.

Commanders vs Lions: when, where, how to watch?

The Commanders visit the Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Saturday January 18, 2025.

The Divisional playoffs clash is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT, and viewers in the US can watch the action live on FOX and FOX Deportes. You can stream FOX’s coverage on the online platform fubo, which offers a free trial.

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