The long-running, contentious trip that the Washington Commanders had been on under the rule of former owner Dan Snyder was just concluded. A fresh beginning and a new glimmer of optimism now exist.
Fans of the Commanders are aware that Josh Harris and company are bringing about long-needed change. They consequently made a further request to the team’s front office to modify the team’s name. They are so desperate for it that they have already begun to sign a petition asking for it to be granted.
NFL fans sign petition to change Commanders name back to Redskins
The Washington football franchise was purchased by Harris’ group, which also included NBA great Magic Johnson, for an estimated $6 billion. The franchise fee associated with it is the most costly in sports history.
After grasping the ownership, Harris declared to bring back the old glory of the team by bringing a great change in the team’s front office also. His determination has brought relief for the fans and they’re already dreaming to have great seasons ahead with the help of new owners.
“Well, I know this, Mr. Harris and that ownership group talked extensively about bringing back the glory,” the teams’ coach Ron Rivera said. “And again, what Coach Gibbs did, the traditions, that alumni group of guys that are around. It’s hard to escape it. It really is. That’s just the truth of the matter. Just so everybody knows, we do that with the utmost respect for the native tribes and for the American Indians. Anytime that’s brought up, it is brought up with the utmost of respect.”
However, some months ago it was heard that the US Patent and Trademark Office has denied the Washington football franchise to trademark the name ‘Commanders’. This facilitated the new team owners to look to find a new name to build a new legacy in a total rebrand.
The team’s supporters, nevertheless, prefer to use their old nickname “Redskins” to reclaim their former dominance over rival teams. More than 37,000 supporters have already signed a petition asking Harris’ squad to resume using their former, more honorific moniker. The news of the petition was released on Sunday by the team’s front office.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: A petition to change the #Commanders name back to #Redskins now has over 37,000 signatures and counting.
Ron Rivera acknowledge that they have been saying the term “Redskins” a lot recently, but that they say it with “the utmost respect” to native Americans.… pic.twitter.com/lyFokWwbU9
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 1, 2023
With the petition signed, many fans are also heating the social media throwing their grudge on the name while prioritizing to bring back the former name.
Redskins BAYBAY! Hail To The Redskins!!!
— Mayfield SZN Dan6erous (@BuccaneerOmega) August 1, 2023
Why did Commanders change their franchise name?
George Preston Marshall launched the team when he acquired the Boston Braves NFL franchise in 1932 and gave it the name of the city’s Major League Baseball team. Later, due to a problem with ticket sales, he changed the team’s name to Redskins, keeping it until 1937 even though he had already transferred the team to Washington at the time.
Native Americans were sometimes referred to as “Redskins,” although this term proved divisive. When Native Americans started protesting and demanding that the name be changed, things got even worse.
As a result, after 87 years they changed their name to the Washington Football Team in 2020. At that time the team was in need of a nickname, hence after in January 2022, the former owner announced that they would going to nickname the team with Commanders.
“As we kick off our 90th season, it is important for our organization and fans to pay tribute to our traditions, history, legacy, and the greats that came before us. We continue to honor and represent the Burgundy and Gold while forging a pathway to a new era in Washington. Today may mark the first day for the Washington Commanders, but we are and always will be Washington.”
Fans were dissatisfied with the name ever since it was given. As a result, prior to the start of the season, they made their first demand regarding recovering the original name of the Washington team.
