Ahead of the 2020-21 season, the Washington Redskins made the culturally appropriate move to drop the “Redskins” nickname. The franchise was referred to simply as the Washington Football team before becoming the Washington Commanders in 2022.
However, the Commanders have, as of late, made the questionable decision to start leaning further back into their past.
Last season, the team brought back some alternate jerseys that paid homage to its “Redskins” days with their design. More recently, the team officially revealed a new logo featuring a spear weaving through its “W,” invoking what some may feel is native american imagery more reminiscent of the “Redskins” era.
One group that feels that way is The Association on American Indian Affairs, which called the logo “disappointing and inappropriate,” and added, “We are not your mascot.”
“The Washington Commanders’ decision to update their logo is disappointing and inappropriate to say the least,’’ the full statement read, via USA TODAY Sports. “It is time to stop repeating this cycle and listen to Native Peoples who have been clear, consistent, and unwavering on this issue: We are not your mascot.’’
“The new alternate logo, released by the franchise this week, purports to join the past and present,” the National Congress of American Indians said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. “NCAI maintains that any prideful nod to a harmful past, even one that may appear harmless on its face, can carry an insidious message and is therefore harmful.”
Commanders president Mark Clouse addressed the new uniform in an appearance on 106.7 The Fan (WJFK-FM) in Washington, D.C.
“Well, certainly we had a lot of discussion about the utilization of the spear and the alternate uniform,’’ Clouse said. “…And the spear became just this really interesting icon that you saw us utilize in a variety of things last year and in our marketing. And then bringing it to the uniform was really the next logical step.’’
“And look, I know we’re not always going to make everybody happy,” he continued. “And what I can say for fans is we really do listen. We care.’’
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.