Source: Rob Carr / Getty
The Washington Football Team made a wise move in removing its former team name from a racist slur after years of criticism from football fans and sponsors alike. On Wednesday (Feb. 2), the team changed its name to the Washington Commanders and NFL Twitter has plenty to say about the big reveal.
First established in 1932 in Buffalo, N.Y., the team was first given the name the Braves, named after the Boston Braves (now Atlanta Braves) Major League Baseball team. It was later changed to the Redskins and the name persisted until 2020 when the team hired coach Ron Rivera and promised to honor the call to remove the logo and slur.
At one point, it appeared that the WFT moniker would have to stick after it was reported a Virginia man trademarked a number of assumed name choices for the team. However, landing on the Commanders, Washington remains in the burgundy and gold color scheme with rolling out a military-styled “W” as its logo.
It appears that a number of savvy fans knew that this name was coming early as last month, but the change is finally official. Even team owner Dan Snyder was aware that the team name change wasn’t exactly kept behind the most secure of vaults.
On Twitter, reaction to the name change garnered praise and some criticism. Time will tell how swiftly the team’s loyal fans will adapt to the new nickname, but it’s certainly more appropriate and less offensive than the previous iteration.
We’ve got reactions from NFL Twitter and the like below.
The future of Washington football is here #TakeCommand pic.twitter.com/MwkCLTkVAA
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 2, 2022
—
Photo: Getty
1.
Rebranding is always gonna be tough and I think “The Washington Commanders” is a good name..
Now of course.. They’re gonna be called The Commies.. they’re red.. in the Nation’s capital but nonetheless.. Commanders is a good name
—
at McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 2, 2022
2.
Tom Brady has never beaten the Washington Commanders and never will.
— JT (@Jaberuski) February 1, 2022
3.
Chase Young graded potential Washington team names in November…
He gave the Commanders a F
pic.twitter.com/IHRxRqkfJI— PFF (@PFF) February 2, 2022
4.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS pic.twitter.com/sFlFg9O2b7
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) February 2, 2022
5.
Washington Commanders is like when the movie can’t get the rights to use an actual team so they throw something quick out there and hope it just doesn’t cause too much confusion
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) February 2, 2022
6.
this is a better team name than the Washington Commanders pic.twitter.com/tadcaKdE6m
— Siraj Hashmi (@SirajAHashmi) February 2, 2022
7.
Cleveland Guardians: cool, retains phonics of old name while stripping out racial stereotypes, honors neat part of local history
Washington Commanders: we made a movie about a football team but did not pay the NFL for licensing
— actioncookbook (@actioncookbook) February 2, 2022
8.
Washington Commanders huh? pic.twitter.com/LlWFIKpqSG
— 2nd Seasonless (@JerseyImperator) January 28, 2022
9.
The Washington Commanders sounds like one of those generic names the relocation teams get in Madden.
— step-father time (@Father_T) January 27, 2022
10.
let’s not focus on whether the Washington Commanders is a good name but instead focus on the fact a red and yellow team located in Washington DC named itself something that can be shortened to Commies
focus on the hilarious aspect of NO ONE realizing this over 2 years pic.twitter.com/b1b5pCcYiC
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) February 2, 2022
11.
As a loyal Washington Commanders fan since 2022, this team has destroyed my will to live. My children started crying when they saw the new logo and uniforms. My 60 inch television is SHATTERED and my hopes are crushed. I will be taking my fandom to a team that has a REAL name.
— alex (@highlghtheaven) February 2, 2022
Properly dramatic.
12.
"Washington Commanders" proves
that an NFL franchise
can go from a racist slur
to being named
after Joe Biden's dog.— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) February 2, 2022
14.
The next chapter for the Washington Commanders should be a return to winning, right here in DC. pic.twitter.com/FIk1F0QqRG
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) February 2, 2022
15.
The new quarterback of the Washington Commanders:
Capt. Andrew Luck pic.twitter.com/bwhj38iNtV
— BetMGM
(@BetMGM) February 2, 2022