Redskins planning on abandoning Native American imagery, per report

Ever since the Redskins announced that they would complete a thorough review of their team’s name, speculation has run rampant, in regards to how they might rebrand themselves.

After years of discussion and anticipation, the debate surrounding the Washington Redskins name has crescendoed to a furor in only two weeks. The Redskins’ name change has gone from a possibility to a virtual certainty, ever since FedEx and other major sponsors signaled their intent to end their business relationships with Washington, if Washington did not change its nickname.

The dominos have steadily fallen, one by one, and now, Redskins owner Dan Snyder and Redskins head coach Ron Rivera are in the thick of ongoing discussions regarding a name change — something that hasn’t happened in Dan Snyder’s tenure.

There were reports early on that suggested that Snyder would try to honor Native Americans with his franchise’s next name, but now, according to ESPN reporter and NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Washington franchise plans on abandoning the Native American imagery altogether.

This revelation comes after a report that 15 Native American leaders sent a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, requesting that the Redskins change their name immediately, and that all Native American likenesses cease to be used by both Washington and the NFL as a whole.

With the team’s Native American likeness now set to be abandoned, the next question revolves around what the new team name, and theme, will be. There was speculation that perhaps the team could keep its logo and theme, to some degree, and adopt a more universally accepted name like “Warriors” or “Redhawks”. But now it appears as though the changes will be much more sweeping.

There was talk that perhaps the Redskins could complete a rebranding before the start of the 2020 season, but with the demands for greater change now submitted, it seems as though that may be a tall order. A complete overhaul could be looming for Washington, and that would not only involve cosmetic changes, but also uniform and equipment modifications, stadium updates, and more.

Other NFL franchises, such as the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, do entertain some level of Native American association, but the Redskins are often singled out. This is due to the specific history of the term “Redskins”; although the intent of the use of the term may no longer be malicious, there was a time in history when it was widely used as a racial slur.

It has long been a subject of contention, and now, it appears as though change is on the way. Stick with us here at Riggo’s Rag, as we’ll be here to provide you with updates on the situation.