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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 removed Redskins apparel from its website. On July 3, the league and the franchise announced that it was “undergoing a thorough review of the team name.” On July 7, it was acknowledged that the Redskins were not in contact with a group of Native Americans who petitioned the NFL to force a name change and that Redskins head coach Ron Rivera also stated the team wanted to continue “honoring and supporting Native Americans and our Military.”
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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, FedEx, and PepsiCo urging them to cut their ties with the team unless the name was changed. In addition, several retail companies had also begun removing Redskins merchandise from their stores, while FedEx, whose founder and CEO Frederick W. Smith is also a minority owner of the team, stated their intent to cancel their sponsorship of their FedExField, the team’s stadium if the name was not changed. In response, the team announced in July 2020 that they would be retiring the name following a review of it and that a new nickname and logo will be revealed at a later date. For the 2020 season, the team will be playing as the Washington Football Team until a permanent name can be revealed at a later date, a process in which head coach Ron Rivera stated could take over a year. For the uniforms, the team kept the burgundy and gold colors but replaced the helmet logo and striping with a jersey number in gold.
The Redskins name and logo drew controversy over its history, with many criticizing it as offensive to Native Americans. Due to increasing pressure from corporate sponsors, particularly following the George Floyd protests in 2020, the team announced it was retiring the Redskins name and would reveal a replacement at a later date, temporarily playing as the Washington Football Team. According to Forbes, the team is valued at approximately US$3.4 billion, making them the seventh-most valuable franchise in the NFL and the 14th-most valuable sports franchise globally.
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 Redskins name controversy involved the name and logo of the National Football League (NFL) franchise now temporarily referred to as the Washington Football Team. Native Americans began questioning the use of the name and image since the 1960s, while the topic had received widespread public attention since the 1990s. In July 2020, in the wake of the protests after the killing of George Floyd, major sponsors of the football team indicated support for a name change. As a result, the NFL and Redskins management announced a review of the issue. On July 13, 2020, the team made an official statement that they would retire the Redskins name and logo with a replacement name and logo being announced in the near future. Subsequently, on July 23, the franchise announced they would refer to themselves for the 2020 season as the Washington Football Team, with a new name to be determined later.
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
1999 – Present / 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
Retired Number
33 / Sammy Baugh
49 / Bobby Mitchell
*Blue is this team’s history