The Washington NFL franchise is seeking a new team identity after withdrawing the Redskins’ name on Monday, but not all team affiliates agree to the change.
Faced with mounting pressure to rename the team amid a national focus on race relations, Washington announced Monday that the Redskins’ name and logo would be withdrawn after 87 years.
THE NAVAJO NATION RELEASES A STATEMENT ON THE NAME OF THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS REMOVAL TEAM, LOGO
“Dan Snyder and Coach Rivera are working closely together to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the position of our proud and rich tradition franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years,” said the team. it’s a statement. .
While the move was applauded by many, several former Washington players voiced their opinion against the change, arguing that the name is affiliated with the franchise’s accomplishments, not the derogatory insult.
“I will always call them Washington Redskins, sorry,” former center Jeff Bostic told ESPN. “I have great memories, great game scenarios that unfolded. There are parts of it that I will never forget the rest of my life. It was an honor for us to put on the helmet that had the Redskins emblem on the sides. ”
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He continued: “This is a political and financial decision. This is not what most people want. I am sure that if you are conducting surveys in the DC area, how many want to keep or change it, I guarantee that the overwhelming number is probably to keep it. ”
WASHINGTON – October 13: Jeff Bostic # 63 of the Washington Redskins makes a block during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on October 13, 1991 at RFK Stadium in Washington DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton / Getty Images)
Doug Williams, a former NFL quarterback who won a Super Bowl in Washington, argued that the players did not think about the negative connotations associated with the name when playing.
“We played because that was our job and what we wanted to do,” Williams, who serves as Washington’s senior vice president of player development, told ESPN.
“Players don’t come thinking, ‘I’m going to play because of this insult.’ That is not on their minds. All they know is that they are playing in the NFC East and they are playing in Dallas. [Cowboys], the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles. “
Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams # 10 passes again during Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos at Jack Murphy Stadium on January 31, 1988 in San Diego, California. The Redskins won 42-10. (Photo by George Rose / Getty Images)
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“We won like Redskins, we won the game,” Williams continued. “But at the end of the day, it’s about the players and we still deserve our rings because we did it, the name didn’t do it.” That is all we can say. The name changes, but the city does not change and the teams do not change, the franchise does not change. It is just the name and logo. It should not have an impact on the history of the organization. “
Former Washington running back Brian Mitchell told ESPN that during his time in the franchise, players never thought of the name until they pressed it.
“I didn’t play by a name per se. The boys never talked about it because the players play, “he said.
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“But you were asked the question over and over, and it gets to where you start asking and researching and trying to solve it. Some Native Americans had a problem and some did not. My mentality always was, we have to sit down and have a serious discussion. If you’ve offended someone, you need to have that discussion instead of being closed-minded. “
Washington has not revealed what the team’s new name will be.
