After 18 months of deliberation, the Washington Football Team announced their new name: the Washington Commanders.
The future of Washington football is here #TakeCommand
In 2020, the team dropped the name Redskins after many called for a name change in the wake of George Floyd's murder and subsequent protests. Native American groups had been asking for a name change for decades, saying the term is offensive and racist.
Team officials released a list of the finalists in September 2021, which included Armada, Presidents, Brigade, Red Hogs, Commanders, Red Wolves, Defenders, or keeping the Washington Football Team moniker that they adopted during deliberations.
Team president Jason Wright and coach Ron Rivera said that they wanted the new name to incorporate a military theme, to represent the team's Washington, DC roots.
While the team tried their best to keep the new name under wraps until Wednesday's official announcement, some eagle-eyed fans noticed clues like a domain for commanders.com being registered by the NFL, and aerial footage captured on Tuesday by a Washington news outlet caught Commanders flags decorating FedEx Field ahead of Wednesday's reveal.
#SpoilerAlert: Hail to the #WashingtonCommanders #WashingtonFootball #HailYeah #BREAKING #NFL #washingtonfootballteam
Former MVP quarterback Joe Theismann, who spent 12 seasons in Washington and won the team's first Super Bowl, referred to the team as the Commanders during an interview on CBS Sports Radio on Monday, seemingly spilling the beans.
I was curious to see what football fans on Twitter were saying about the name change. And as per usual, they didn't hold back.
Some are fans of the new name, which has proven to be quite the controversial stance.
*whispers* I like Washington Commanders
Unpopular opinion but I really like the Washington Commanders. Yeah it sounds auto generated but everyone will get used to it. #WashingtonCommanders #WashingtonFootball #NFL #football
I like the Washington Commanders. Alright, Atlanta Braves, your turn.
Some NFL hopeful college football players spoke out in support of the new name.
Some Senior Bowl QB reactions to Washington’s new name: Sam Howell, UNC: “I like that one. ‘Commanders’ sounds cool, you know?” Bailey Zappe, WKU: “I wouldn’t mind being a Commander.” Also joked “I’d take all 32, if I could.” Kenny Pickett, Pitt:
But most fans weren't afraid to say what they really think about the change.
@Commanders Can we go back to Football Team instead?
Introducing the new mascot for the Washington Commanders #WashingtonFootball
*almost impossibly dorky voice* The Washington Commanders
@NFL @Commanders Washington Commanders?!?! 🤨🤔🙄
The Washington Commanders sounds like one of those generic names the relocation teams get in Madden.
The Washington Commanders…
Washington Commanders is like when the movie can’t get the rights to use an actual team so they throw something quick out there and hope it just doesn’t cause too much confusion
Washington Commanders ?!?
The Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders sounds like a made-up football team in a movie starring The Rock
I try to be positive most of the time about this team, I’m not feeling Washington Commanders, AT ALL. I’m disappointed honestly. #WashingtonFootball
Some have even been comparing the new name to the commanders from The Handmaid's Tale.
The Commanders? So we’re saying absolutely no one on the Washington Football Team watched a single episode of the Handmaid’s Tale? No one?
I'm not the only one who went right to Handmaid's Tale when they named the team the "Washington Commanders," right?