Established
1932
City
Boston - Washington D.C.
League History
1932 - Present / National Football League
Team History
2020 - Present / Washington Football Team
1937 - 2020 / Washington Redskins
1933 - 1936 / Boston Redskins
1932 / Boston Braves
Nickname
Redskins - As one of the oldest teams in the National Football League (NFL), the Boston Redskins have a long and storied history. The team was founded in 1932 by George Preston Marshall, who named them after his favorite college football team, the Boston Braves. Since then, they've gone through several name changes — from Redskins to Patriots to Red Skins — but their nickname has remained essentially unchanged for more than 80 years.
Boston Redskins Origin
The origin of this nickname is rooted in Native American culture and tradition. In 1933, when Marshall changed their name from Braves to Redskins he wanted it to be an homage to Indigenous people - something that paid tribute both culturally and historically while also providing a unique identity for his new franchise that would stand out amongst other NFL teams at the time. He chose “Redskins” as a nod towards Native Americans because it was seen as the respectful language used by many non-Native communities during that era; however, some consider this term offensive today due to its connotations with racism against Indigenous peoples throughout US history.
Despite efforts over recent decades by activists advocating for change within sports organizations like NFL franchises nationwide - including calls directed towards Washington's owner Dan Snyder -, there remains significant debate about whether or not changing names such as 'Redskins' are necessary or beneficial step forward on issues concerning race relations within professional sports leagues across America. While opinions vary on what should happen next regarding such topics, what is certain is that no matter what happens moving forward, the legacy left behind by George Preston Marshall will always remain intact, forever linking him with one of the most iconic nicknames ever created – ‘Boston Redskin’s.
Championship
Super Bowl 0
1992, 1988, 1983
NFL Championship 0
1942, 1937
Stadium
2025 - Present / Northwest Stadium
2000 - 2024 / FedEx Field
1997 - 1999 / Jack Kent Cooke Stadium
1969 - 1996 / RFK Stadium
1961 - 1968 / D.C. Stadium
1937 - 1960 / Griffith Stadium
*Boston*
1933 - 1936 / Fenway Park
1932 / Braves Field
Owner
2023 - Present / Josh Harris
1999 - 2023 / Daniel Snyder
1997 - 1999 / Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
1985 - 1997 / Jack Kent Cooke
1974 - 1985 / Jack Kent Cooke and Edward Bennett Williams
1969 - 1974 / Edward Bennett Williams
1932 - 1969 / George Preston Marshall
- 1933
- 1933
- 1934
- 1935
- 1936
-
Redskins New Nickname
The team moved to Fenway Park (home of the Boston Red Sox) the next year, and Marshall changed the name to the “Redskins” apparently in honor of then-coach Lone Star Dietz, a Native American, he claimed to be part Sioux, but his actual ancestry has been challenged. -
Lone Star Dietz Head coach of Boston Redskins
The 1933 Boston Redskins, coached by Lone Star Dietz, missed the playoffs after finishing the NFL regular season in 3rd place in the Eastern Division with a 5-5-2 record. -
The Redskins finished second in the Eastern Division
The 1934 Boston Redskins season was the franchise’s 3rd season in the National Football League. The team finished with a record of six wins and six losses and finished in second place in the Eastern Division of the National Football League. They failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season. -
Boston Redskins finished in fourth place in the Eastern Division of the National Football League
The 1935 Boston Redskins season was the franchise’s 4th season in the National Football League . The team finished with a record of two wins, eight losses, and one tie, and finished in fourth place in the Eastern Division of the National Football League. They failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. A road game against ... -
The Redskins win their final three games to capture the Eastern Division title
In 1936: The Redskins win their final three games to capture the Eastern Division title with a 7-5 record. The defense allows only six points in the last three games, while the offense scores 74 points. However, due to poor attendance at Fenway Park, owner George Preston Marshall gives up the home-field advantage for the NFL Championship Game and chooses ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Boston Redskins History
The Boston Redskins history began in 1932 when the team was founded as the Boston Braves before changing its name to the Redskins in 1933. Football in Boston faced challenges during this era, with smaller crowds and financial struggles making it difficult for the franchise to compete. Despite those obstacles, the early years of Boston Redskins football laid the foundation for what would later become one of the NFL’s most iconic teams.
The franchise played home games at Braves Field and later Fenway Park, but success on the field was limited. In 1936, however, the team made its first mark by reaching the NFL Championship game. That season became a key milestone in the Boston Redskins history, even though the team lost the championship to the Green Bay Packers. Frustrated with poor attendance in Boston despite on-field improvement, owner George Preston Marshall decided to relocate the team.
In 1937, the Redskins moved to Washington, D.C., where they achieved immediate success. The new era was highlighted by an NFL Championship victory in their very first season after relocation. From there, legends such as Sammy Baugh helped shape the future of the franchise. The achievements in Boston may have been limited, but they were critical in setting the stage for greater victories in Washington. You can continue reading about the Washington Commanders history to see how the team evolved after leaving Boston.
Boston Redskins Achievements
The legacy of the Boston Redskins history remains important when discussing the broader success of the franchise. The team went on to win NFL Championships in 1937 and 1942 after its move, followed by three Super Bowl titles in the modern era. From early playoff appearances in Boston to championships in Washington, the franchise’s story reflects both struggle and triumph. For a deeper dive into the full timeline, visit the official Wikipedia page.
Retired Number
9 / Sonny Jurgensen
21 / Sean Taylor
28 / Darrell Green
33 / Sammy Baugh
49 / Bobby Mitchell
*Blue is this team’s history