(John Ransom, Headline USA) Appearing on a CBS radio sports talk show, former Washington quarterback Joe Theisman said that the new name for his old team will be the Commanders, replacing the generic Washington Football Team, which was a replacement for the previous team name Redskins.
“Commander is basically Washington DC,” said Theisman, “A lot of commanders in Washington DC, at the Pentagon and a lot of different branches of the service. So to me, that’s the way I’m looking at it.”
The team officially unveiled the name and new logo on Twitter at 8:11 am with a video that also included a new website: commanders.com.
One legacy. One unified future.
We are the Washington Commanders #TakeCommand pic.twitter.com/Eav9NOV5Mm
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 2, 2022
“One legacy,” said the tweet. “One unified future. We are the Washington Commanders.”
Still, one liberal wasn’t happy with the new name, saying it reminds him of the Jan. 6 protests.
“If it’s commanders,” said Erick Clodfelter, “I am concerned it will inspire to the rioters like oath keepers and the proud boy would use it for insecurrtion (sic) on election 2024 like January 6 US Capitol riot. That’s dangerous. I am against commanders name.”
The team changed its name from the Redskins after a years-long campaign by Native American activists and liberals who make it their life mission to combat mascot names.
“We’re grateful that the team is finally on the right side of history,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, the chief executive of IllumiNative, a network of activists and tribal leaders who combat racist team mascots, according to the Washington Post.
A poll in 2016 by the Washington Post, however, shows that groups like IllumiNative don’t necessarily speak for Native Americans.
“Nine in 10 Native Americans,” said the newspaper, “say they are not offended by the Washington Redskins name, according to a new Washington Post poll that shows how few ordinary Indians have been persuaded by a national movement to change the football team’s moniker.”
Despite this, Native American activists and their liberal helpers are expected next to put pressure on the Kansas City Chiefs football team to make a change, eliminating any Native American imagery in the promotion of the team.
