Commanders announce debuts for revamped fight song, new mascot

The Washington Commanders‘ rebrand is over four months old and fans are still talking themselves into the new moniker.

By completing shedding the former nickname, some folks have found it harder than others to embrace the new era of Washington Football. Ultimately, though, the team’s on-field success, or lack thereof, will determine how soon (if at all), the rebrand will be accepted.

You know what could expedite that process? Honoring the franchise’s roots, traditions and greatest-ever players. On Monday, the Commanders took a big step in that regard, as they announced the revamped fight song will debut during their first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 13.

Since the Feb. 2 rebrand, Washington has hinted the fight song will be a reworked version of “Hail to the Redskins,” which the singing of was one of the franchise’s longest-standing traditions under the old nickname.

The Commanders announced dates for the release of their revamped fight song and new mascot.

If you remember, team president Jason Wright noted at the rebrand that the organization’s new moniker aligns well with the old fight song, citing that as a reason the braintrust “gravitated” towards the Commanders nickname.

In an effort to embrace the rebrand, Washington will incorporate a different theme in each home game this season. Some of the headliners include celebrating the team’s 90th anniversary and a homecoming weekend in Week 7 vs the Packers and a white-out to close out the regular season vs the Cowboys in Week 18.

A white out at FedEx Field against the hated Cowboys is a big deal, but the most noteworthy theme will come a week earlier when the Commanders host the Browns. On that date, the team will recognize “The Hogs” offensive line, widely viewed as the most notorious OL in league history and was a catalyst in Washington’s run of dominance spanning 1982-91, during which they won three Super Bowls.

Fittingly enough, the Commanders will unveil their new mascot that week, which has some speculating if it could have a hog theme. More details will come during the summer, but the plan is to allow fans to help select the mascot.

Another cool touch by the Commanders? In Week 12, they’ll debut a permanent installation at FedEx Field for Sean Taylor. It’ll be unveiled on the 15 anniversary of Taylor’s tragic passing, according to the team website.

Washington hasn’t always covered itself in glory with pregame, halftime and postgame ceremonies, but these game-by-game themes — involving fans in the voting process for the new mascot and honoring Taylor and other franchise greats chief among them —  is a great way to kick off the Commanders’ era.

Credit to Wright and everyone who was involved in putting this together.