For the most part, the month of July is rather quiet for NFL teams. Although the training camp begins towards the end, the month acts as a buffer before the news begins to intensify as the season begins.
The Washington Football Team of July – and now the beginning of August – was all but that. The team did not play a single snap of football in 2020, and yet the news cycle still dominated for about six weeks with off-the-field events never seeming to stop.
The past 39 days have changed the franchise in Washington forever. Things will never really be the same in Ashburn, Va. Here’s a look at the breathtaking timeline of events that have taken place since July 1st.
1 July
Owner Dan Snyder has over the years been dealing with pressure to change the moniker that many found offensive, but his position on the issue never really waited. That was until the first domino fell on July 1 when a collection of 87 shareholders and investment firms large companies, such as Nike, FedEx and PepsiCo, asked to end any relationship with the team until the name was changed.
The group was worth more than $ 600 billion, and it was clear that the move to change the name was gaining momentum like never before.
July 2
Just a day later, FedEx, which owns the naming rights for Washington Stadium, sent a formal request to the team to request that the name be changed. FedEx Ceo Frederick Smith is also a minority owner of the team (more on him later).
That did not happen, as Nike also removed all of the team’s Washington brand brands from its website. At this point, it became clear that the companies were not creating any kind of empty threats. They wanted the moniker switched on, and they wanted it done quickly.
July 3
Realizing that the problem would not go away, Washington announces that they will conduct an “in-depth review” of the name.
In a statement, Redskins owner Dan Snyder said, “This process allows the team to take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise, but also input from our alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League and the local community is proud to be on and off the field. “
A report emerged then that the review essentially meant that a name change was coming.
4 July
If there were to be a new name, when would it be? That is a question that many have at the moment. Head coach Ron Rivera shared some insight with the Washington Post, saying he hoped a rebrand would come before the season began.
“We want to do it in a positive way,” Rivera said.
6 July
More big names, including Target and Walmart, announced that Washington Gear is no longer for sale on their websites until the team changed its name. If the pressure did not already affect the speed of a decision on the moniker, it was now.
July 8
Do you remember Frederick Smith? Here is where he comes back into the game. The FedEx CEO and two other minority owners of the team – Robert Rothman and Dwight Schar – were apparently trying to sell their stake in the franchise. In addition, they tried to get Snyder to sell his majority stake.
That did not work, and frustration only grew for the three.
Also, Amazon said it no longer buys Washington on its website.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TALK PODCAST
July 10th
FedEx continues to request a name change, now indicating that it will remove all signs from the stadium after the 2020 NFL season if something is not done. Washington had a deal with the company through 2025.
July 13
The day is finally coming, and the name is retired – sort of.
Washington announced that the previous moniker and logo would be more, and then continued to use the name and logo several times in the press release.
A spokesman for Redskins has just updated us and explained that they will still be known as the Redskins until they are officially known by their new name
– Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) 13 July 2020
Anyway, it was a day of monumental change for the franchise.
14 and 15 July
In the days after the release, the attention quickly shifted from the name. This was thanks to numerous vague teasers from DC area reporters that implied that a “bombshell” type was about to fall, and it would not be good.
Rumors spread like wildfire on social media as everyone consistently picked up Twitter and waited for something to happen.
Longtime team sent out Larry Michael was currently almost abroad, leaving many wondering who would be exposed at the point when the news dropped.
16 July
The Washington Post publishes a scandalous report accusing former staff members of serious allegations of sexual harassment against female workers. Among the names involved were former personnel managers Richard Mann II and Alex Santos, who were fired a week before the news broke. Michael was also included in the claims.
Snyder was not explicitly mentioned in any of the allegations, he was still the man in power who could cause the dysfunction in the organization. However, it is believed that the news will not be enough to force Snyder out of Washington.
Within the span of 15 days, Washington was looking for a new name and Ron Rivera was looking for a way to remove problems from the past in the organization.
July 17
A day after the report surfaced, the NFL announced that it would “take possible action” after closing its culture investigation in Washington.
The team has hired attorney Beth Wilkinson to take a “deep dive” into the organization the day before, which raises some skepticism in light of franchises that usually can’t staff staff for league investigations.
On the same day, former Washington security DJ Swearinger shared screenshots of text messages that were all between him and former head coach Jay Gruden. The messages showed Gruden using explicit and unprofessional language towards Swearinger. Compared to the larger issues, it was a relatively small feud between two people no longer with the organization. But it speaks to the culture at the moment instead.
With so much happening in Washington, many would not be surprised if Rivera regretted taking the job in January. The head coach put that notion to rest, explaining that he had none despite the circumstances surrounding the franchise.
July 18
Since it was announced that the name would be changed, speculation about what that would be taken over on social media. Warriors and Redtails got the initial support, but Red Wolves soon became the fans’ favorite – on social media nonetheless. Some players also showed some love for the moniker.
Despite the suggestions, Washington showed no signs of being a favorite. That left Dwayne Haskins and many others wondering when a new name came up.
July 20
Washington is hiring Terry Bateman as its new executive vice president and chief marketing officer to lead the name change process. Bateman had worked for Snyder in the past, which raised many questions about whether things would really change in Washington.
July 21st
Washington has hired former NBC Sports Washington anchor and reporter Julie Donaldson to lead the radio broadcasting team, serve in other on-air roles and maintain an executive position as senior vice president of media. Donaldson is set to be the first woman to become a regular member of an NFL team’s radio broadcast stand as the franchise takes a step in the right direction.
Former Washington player Logan Paulsen shares a story about how former team executive Bruce Allen players would see a PowerPoint to defend the team’s former name.
“You would bring in Bruce Allen and he would give you a presentation on how the Native American tribes, 95% of them support the name,” the ex-tight end told the hosts. “You always have the feeling he’s trying to sell you something there.”
July 23
Speculation about the new name comes to a halt when the team announces that it will be known as the “Washington Football Team” for the 2020 season. The temporary name change lets the team move on from the past, while also taking the time to figure out the next step in the rebrand.
Logos, jerseys and more are unveiled and social media becomes a contentious ground for the two factions: Those who like the movement and those who believe it was a failure by the organization not to have a new name ready.
RELATED: RIVERA WORKS TO CULTURE WHEN WORKING WITH ACTIONS
July 24th
It has been reported that the NFL is re-investigating Washington. this time in relation to how recent hires match the league’s ‘Rooney Rule’. The rule requires NFL franchises to consider minority and / or female applications for executive positions within the franchise.
The Fritz Pollard Alliance had sent questions to the NFL and the team regarding its hiring process after Washington announced the hiring of Bateman.
In a surprise on the field, quarterback Alex Smith is fired for full football activity by his personal doctors, and marks an incredible display of perseverance by the veteran after he suffered what many believed was a career-ending broken leg in the 2018 season. Although he still has some ways to go, Ron Rivera is not ready to rule out that Smith is part of the team’s future plans at quarterback.
July 25 – August 6
Name suggestions, logo ideas and photo shops flood the internet as fans debate the impressive permanent name change. Red Wolves still win the popularity games, but many other options exist and have their own levels of support.
Players begin reporting at training camp amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. For the first time in more than a month, football-related stories are starting to take over. Things seem to be getting a bit quitter from the field after more than three weeks. That calm would not last.
7 August
Derrius Guice, who is running back, is arrested on charges of domestic violence and is immediately released from the team.
We’ve released RB Derrius Guice pic.twitter.com/L3mOP8GCIX
– Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 7, 2020
Guice’s release becomes the last sign that Rivera is actually following the change in culture in Washington, and he uses actions instead of just words.
One of the most promising young players on the roster, a draft pick in the second round of 2018 who has struggled with injuries but showed such promise on the field late last season, was suddenly gone. In this crazy summer, it hardly matches what happened before. But it’s worth noting how great this story would only be in a normal NFL offseason as a training camp for most teams.
Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder filed for damages in India and Los Angeles to defend himself against rumors circulating about his property before the Washington Post’s story was published.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
After the final round of breaking news on Friday, and with the actual season creeping closer to its start date, decisions about the No. 1 quarterback or which wide receivers will step up, the stories are expected to be dealt with in Washington. But, in this summer of uncertainty and change, it’s probably better to just wait for the last bombshell. If the past 39 days are any indication, with a temporary name, a new head coach, an ongoing pandemic and almost daily seismic shifts in the organization, news could break at any second.
Stay connected to the team with the MyTeams app. Click here to download for comprehensive coverage of your teams.
MORE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM NEWS:
