Washington Redskins helmet (Photo via Getty Images)
Rumors of the Washington Commanders possibly reverting to their old Redskins name have finally been put to bed following widespread speculation.
The team has undergone two name changes since dropping the latter, but many were hoping that the new ownership group would consider reverting as most can agree that “Commanders” is not such a great moniker.
However, owner Josh Harris has made it clear that there’s no chance the team ever goes back to Redskins.
“We’ve been very clear. For obvious reasons, the old name can’t come back,” he said in quotes cited by Washington Post reporter Nick Jhabvala. “But right now we’re focused on things that unify the team around our football team and unify the city around our football team. The first objective is we got to start winning football games.”
🚨BREAKING: Owner Josh Harris says the #Commanders WILL NOT CHANGE THEIR NAME back to the Redskins.
“For obvious reasons, the old name can’t come back.”
He says, despite peoples dislike for the Commanders name, “It does matter, it cannot go back.” pic.twitter.com/S4DqAk0O0c
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 25, 2024
While there will be no going back where the team’s name is concerned, the Commanders are returning to right what most fans considered a huge mistake.
An announcement dropped this weekend revealing Washington’s plans to honor their late superstar safety Sean Taylor with a statue, having removed the structure installed by the previous owners in 2022.
“I think that honoring our alumni and obviously the glory of Washington Football – three Super Bowls – we have a lot, but Sean Taylor is particularly important for obvious reasons, and I wanted to make sure that he had a first-class memorial, first class exhibit,” Harris declared.
“And so we’ve been working closely with the Taylor family and came to decision jointly that it was probably time to look for something new. And we’ll be considering that over the next season with the family.”
While news on the name change split the support, the franchise’s plans to memorialize the team’s fallen star have been met with wholesale praise.
