NFL

The Washington Football Team’s President Sent an Encouraging Message About Their Search for a New Name

Disclosure
We publish independently audited information that meets our strong editorial guidelines. Be aware we may earn a commission if you purchase anything via links on our pages.
The Washington Football Team provided an encouraging update on their hunt for a new name.

It’s safe to say the 2020 NFL season is unlike any fan would have imagined. Cam Newton is the starting quarterback for the New England Patriot; Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are suiting up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Teams are playing in empty stadiums, and, in the NFC East, the Washington Football Team is taking the field under its placeholder name.

When the club announced their change of identity, fans took to social media to speculate about potential team names. While the suggestions have been rolling in, Washington Football Team president Jason Wright still sent an encouraging message about the current process.

The Washington Redskins became the Washington Football Team

RELATED: Washington Football Team Owner Dan Snyder Saw His 1st Business Fail at Just 17 Years Old

For years, the Washington Redskins were simply a reality of the NFL; even if you couldn’t stand their name, it didn’t seem to be going anywhere. In 2020, however, that finally changed.

Despite owner Dan Synder’s previous statements—no matter how much public pressure mounted, he vowed that his team’s name wasn’t going anywhere—he was forced to change his course. Following a summer of protests and conversations about racial justice, brands like Amazon, Fed-Ex, and Nike decided to flex their muscles. The Redskins name was suddenly no more.

Since then, the club has been going by the Washington Football Team and wearing uniforms that resemble their previous gear, just without any Native American imagery. In theory, that name is a placeholder; Dan Snyder, however, has also said that moniker could become permanent if it “catches on and our fans embrace it.”

Receiving over 9,000 suggestions for their new name

While remaining as the Washington Football Team could be a long-term option, it isn’t a foregone conclusion yet. If anything, it seems like fans have plenty of ideas about what the club’s permanent name should be.

According to an update from team president Jason Wright,  the team has “received almost 9,000 submissions to date and the ideas continue to roll in.” According to images shared in his weekly brief on WashingtonFootball.com, at least a few of those ideas are names that we’ve heard before.

Some of the attached images show potential branding for the Washington Wolves/ Red Wolves and the Washington Red Tails, which allude to the famous Tuskeegee Airmen. There was also a mock-up of the Washington Seals and two designs without a clear indicator of their hypothetical name.

The process will take time, but the Washington Football Team wants to get things right

RELATED: Nobody Wants to See Dan Snyder’s Charitable Side But It Exists

Given that sheer volume of suggestions, it might seem like the Washington Football Team are on the verge of deciding on their new identity. In reality, however, the process isn’t going to be concluding anytime soon.

In Wright’s update, he explained that the team’s rebranding process has five steps. First came transformation, which is where the former Redskins became the Washington Football Team; that, obviously, has been completed. The club is not in the second phase, discovery, which “will continue throughout the entirety of the 2020 season.”

After that, the team will go through insight, creation, and execution phases; it’s not clear how long those will each take.

While the wait may be a bit annoying for fans, it’s reasonable that Washington wants to take their time. Rebranding is a major decision, and, given their previous identity, it’s essential for the franchise to get this one right. It seems like the organization is doing all the right things and taking the proper steps.

Jason Wright himself said it best.

“Without exception, the number one topic that fans, staff, partners, etc. want to know is — ‘What’s the name going to be?’ — except y’all aren’t afraid to ask it with some… let’s call it passion,” he explained. “Here’s the (honest) answer: ‘Bruh/sis, cut me some slack, we need some time to do this right! We can’t ** this up!”

Author photo
Joe Kozlowski
Sports Editor

Joe Kozlowski began his career as a sports journalist in 2013 and joined Sportscasting in 2019. He covers the NBA and soccer for Sportscasting, with specialties in legacy NBA players such as Michael Jordan and Premier League club Arsenal. Off the clock, he's a Kansas City Chiefs fan and a hockey goalie. Growing up loving Shaquille O'Neal and reading everything he could about the great big men throughout NBA history — likely because he was still tall enough, at least relative to his peers, to play center — he's continued to love learning about and exploring the historical and story-based sides of the basketball archives. As for Arsenal, Joe spent a year living in London and latched onto the local support of the club. He's barely missed a match since, loving Arsene Wenger, enduring the Banter Era, and following along through rebuilds. The Premier League interest developed into a passionate following of the Champions League, Europe's big five league, and international soccer as a whole when played at the highest level. Regardless of the sport, Joe is captivated by the stories of athletes beyond the box scores and how they push the envelope — both in terms of what we think a human is capable of accomplishing and how they find new competitive tactics to win.

Get to know Joe Kozlowski better
Author photo
Joe Kozlowski Sports Editor

Joe Kozlowski began his career as a sports journalist in 2013 and joined Sportscasting in 2019. He covers the NBA and soccer for Sportscasting, with specialties in legacy NBA players such as Michael Jordan and Premier League club Arsenal. Off the clock, he's a Kansas City Chiefs fan and a hockey goalie. Growing up loving Shaquille O'Neal and reading everything he could about the great big men throughout NBA history — likely because he was still tall enough, at least relative to his peers, to play center — he's continued to love learning about and exploring the historical and story-based sides of the basketball archives. As for Arsenal, Joe spent a year living in London and latched onto the local support of the club. He's barely missed a match since, loving Arsene Wenger, enduring the Banter Era, and following along through rebuilds. The Premier League interest developed into a passionate following of the Champions League, Europe's big five league, and international soccer as a whole when played at the highest level. Regardless of the sport, Joe is captivated by the stories of athletes beyond the box scores and how they push the envelope — both in terms of what we think a human is capable of accomplishing and how they find new competitive tactics to win.

All posts by Joe Kozlowski