SportsPulse: As the Washington NFL team finally puts their racist nickname to bed. Remember that there are other great sports teams whose nickname origins are linked to America’s culturally insensitive past.
UNITED STATES TODAY
The Washington NFL team announced Monday that it will soon part with its name and logo after 87 years, following continued pressure from sponsors, fans and activists.
So now the question is: what is the next step?
The team offered little clue about potential replacement names and logos, or when such a brand might be revealed. Coach Ron Rivera previously told the Washington Post that he would like to see the matter resolved before training camp begins at the end of the month, but the franchise has not specified a schedule.
While we wait, here’s a look at some of the possibilities that have been brought up – and some of the key considerations as the team approaches a decision.
Who are the best contenders?
There is no shortage of fan suggestions, of course – many of them were made in jest. (The Washington Lobbyists, Washington Beltway Drivers, etc.) But in terms of serious contenders, it looks like a few have floated to the top.
Much of the most recent discussion among fans and tipsters has revolved around nicknames that start with “Red”, such as “Red Wolves” or “Red Tails”. This would allow the team to continue to use their slogan “HTTR” for marketing purposes; the acronym was previously the abbreviation for “Hail To The Redskins”. The name “Red Tails” would also be a tribute to the aviators of Tuskegee, which would be in keeping with Rivera’s stated desire to honor the military with the new name.
Washington owner Daniel Snyder has also previously shown a preference for “warriors.” He bought an expansion franchise in the Arena Football League that was supposed to start playing in 2003 but never did. He planned to call this team the Washington Warriors. (More information on this name possible later.)
What do players and alumni think about it?
So far, only a few current and former players have intervened on this subject, at least in a public way.
Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, former linebacker Will Compton and former cornerback Fred Smoot are among those who expressed support for the “Red Wolves”. Smoot, who contributes frequently to radio broadcasts in the Washington DC area, was particularly vocal.
“It is an endangered species. It allows us to keep ‘HTTR’,” Smoot told NBC Sports Washington last week. “It allows us to keep burgundy and gold. It allows us to have crazy uniforms. As I said before, I can see 80,000 people in FedEx Field howling like wolves after Chase Young has a bag to win a match. “
Quarterback Dwayne Haskins, meanwhile, expressed his preference for “Red Tails” early in the process. And former player Doc Walker, who now co-hosts a radio show for The Team 980, suggested the team switch to “Warriors” and return to its 1960s arrow logo, describing it as an “easy” solution.
Which name do the odds prefer?
Tuesday was “Red Tails”. The online sports book Bovada LV listed “Red Tails” or “Red Clouds” with a rating of 2/1, followed by “Warriors”, then “Hogs” or any variety of these. A second sports book, BetOnline.ag, has “Red Tails” at 3/1 odds, just ahead of “Generals” and “Warriors”, each at 4/1.
Interestingly, “Red Wolves” is not listed by Bovada LV, while getting a 6/1 rating on BetOnline.ag.
What is the Warriors’ concern?
Since Snyder had already tried the name, “Warriors” might seem like an easy fix, as Walker said. But there are fears that the name would maintain the bond between the team and Native American imagery – especially if, for example, the new logo was the feathered arrow that Washington previously used as a trademark in the 1960s.
“If that’s their idea, haven’t they learned anything?” said Amanda Blackhorse, who previously fought to cancel the Washington team’s federal trademark registrations.
ESPN reported last week that Washington plans not to have Native American imagery related to its new name. But even if it is, critics say, the nickname “Warriors” has historical ties to the Native American tropes that could keep this connection alive.
When will a new name be revealed?
The team did not disclose any sort of target calendar or date for the official change, beyond Rivera’s aforementioned preference that it be settled before the start of training camp. The franchise continues to go through “Redskins” in the meantime.
The Washington Post reported this week that the team’s favorite name was caught in a fight against the brand, which delayed its announcement. And securing this brand is just one of the many steps that will need to be taken in the weeks and months to come to fully finalize a name change.
There are new goods to make and distribute, old logos and team names to eliminate promotional materials and sponsors. Then, of course, the equipment of the team itself. NFL Network, for example, reported on Monday that franchise equipment staff had already received their equipment for the upcoming season, with the previous logo and name – jerseys, helmet decals, etc., all of which will be changed before the team fully embraces their new brand image.
Contact Tom Schad at [email protected] or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.
