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
Washington Football Team - The Washington Football Team is one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. With a rich history that dates back to 1932, they are one of the oldest teams in professional football and have had some iconic nicknames over their long tenure. From “Redskins” to “Hogs,” these names have become synonymous with Washington Football and its fan base.
The team's original nickname was "Boston Braves" when it became part of the Boston-based National Football League (NFL). The name changed several times during its early years before settling on "Washington Redskins" for most of its time as an NFL franchise from 1937 until 2020. The origin behind this nickname can be traced back to George Preston Marshall, who owned and operated baseball's Boston Braves team and later Washington's NFL franchise from 1933–1946. He wanted his new football team to share a similar moniker with his beloved baseball club – hence why he chose 'Redskins'.
During much of Joe Gibbs' coaching reign between 1981–1992, the term 'Hog' became popular among fans due mainly because it represented strength, referring not only to offensive linemen but also defensive players like Dexter Manley or Charles Mann, who were nicknamed Hogs by their teammates for being so strong on defense! This tradition has carried through today, where many members within current rosters still refer to themselves as hogs amongst each other despite no longer having any official ties with this particular moniker since changing away from Redskin branding last year in 2020.
In July 2020, after 87 years - following significant pressure, including sponsors threatening boycotts - Daniel Snyder announced that he would retire using Redskins branding, citing how modern society views such terms differently than when originally chosen by George Preston Marshall all those decades ago. Since then, the organization has been officially known simply as the ‘Washington Football Team’ while continuing to search for a more permanent replacement, potentially seeing them return with a new identity in 2021 if all goes according to plan!
Championship
Super Bowl 0
1992, 1988, 1983
NFL Championship 0
1942, 1937
Stadium
2000 - Present / 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
- July 13, 2020
- July 23, 2020
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Redskins Name Controversy
In July 2020, amidst the removal of many names and images as part of the George Floyd protests, a group of investors worth $620 billion wrote letters to major sponsors Nike, FedEx, and PepsiCo encouraging pressure on the Redskins to change their name. FedEx called on the team to change its name on July 2, 2020. The same day, Nike ... -
New Temporary Name – Washington Football Team
The Washington Redskins name controversy involved the name and logo of the National Football League (NFL) franchise now temporarily referred to as the Washington Football Team. Following renewed attention to questions of racial justice after the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, a letter signed by 87 shareholders and investors of the team was sent to NFL sponsors Nike, ...
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.
History of the Washington FT
The Washington Football Team, previously known as the Washington Redskins, has a long and storied history in the NFL, dating back to 1932, when it was founded as the Boston Braves. The team was renamed the Redskins in 1933 and moved to Washington, D.C., in 1937, where they have been ever since. The franchise has won five NFL titles (1937, 1942, 1982-83-91) during their time in Washington and appeared on numerous occasions at Super Bowls XXII (1988), XXVI (1992), XVIII (1983) and XIX(1984).
Throughout its history, several Hall of Fame players such as Sammy Baugh, Darrell Green, and John Riggins led them to victory over some of football’s greatest teams, including Joe Montana's San Francisco 49ers dynasty that dominated throughout much of the 1980s decade or Dan Marino's Miami Dolphins who were one game away from winning it all twice during that same period; no matter how great those opponents may have been there is something special about this franchise which makes them stand out among others within professional sports leagues across America today: loyalty & determination!
This spirit is embodied by current owner Daniel Snyder who took control back in 2001 after buying out former owner Jack Kent Cooke for 800 million dollars – an amount which made him both one of wealthiest owners within any sport but also brought along with its expectations from fans around the world expecting nothing less than success each season regardless if playoffs are reachable goal or not! It hasn't always been easy, though, especially recently due to recent controversies involving former head coach Mike Shanahan’s firing after the 2013 season, followed up by name change controversy surrounding the “Redskins” moniker being seen as offensive to many Native American tribes/groups nationwide plus other issues like lack talent depth across roster positions year after year…but through thick thin these resilient individuals remain loyal supporters despite what odds stacked against them may be because deep down inside know their beloved organization will eventually get things right again someday soon enough so everyone can once more proudly say "Go Redskins!"
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
9 / Sonny Jurgensen
21 / Sean Taylor
28 / Darrell Green
33 / Sammy Baugh
49 / Bobby Mitchell
*Blue is this team’s history