Native American Guardian's Association founder pressures NFL team to return to 'Redskins' name



Native American Guardian's Association founder and president Eunice Davidson is calling for the Washington Commanders NFL team to revert to their iconic "Redskins" name.

"At this moment in history, we are formally requesting that the team revitalize its relationship with the American Indian community by (i) changing the name back to "The Redskins" which recognizes America's original inhabitants and (ii) using the team's historic name and legacy to encourage Americans to learn about, not cancel, the history of America's tribes and our role in the founding of this Great Nation," the letter declares.

Davidson, who according to NAGA's website "is a full-blood Dakota Sioux and an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Tribe from North Dakota" also threatened to push for a boycott movement to apply pressure if needed.

"NAGA stands ready to work with you and your ownership group to bring back the historic name and rebuild the team's relationship with America's original inhabitants. We are requesting a NAGA working group to meet with your organization to begin further dialogue on next steps," the letter states. "Should we need to encourage a national boycott similar to what happened to Anhuser Busch [sic] (Bud Light) ... WE WILL DO JUST THAT!"

— (@)

The team announced in 2020 that it planned to officially drop the Redskins name and logo by the beginning of the 2020 season. After going by the "Washington Football Team" for a substantial period of time, the team announced the "Commanders" name in 2022

A petition that calls for a return to the Redskins name has garnered more than 73,000 signatures.

— (@)

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Former NFL player, 35, who nearly died from a stroke, turns to his faith: 'God not done with me yet'



A former NFL player revealed that he recently suffered from a stroke and nearly died. However, the 35-year-old former defensive tackle has turned to his Christian faith in light of his near-death experience.

Former Washington Redskins lineman Chris Baker announced to his Instagram followers that he had recently suffered a sudden medical emergency that almost killed him.

"Tell your loved ones you love 'em, my life almost ended 2 days ago," Baker said in an Instagram story on Wednesday.

"I can't believe I had a stroke, but God not done with me yet," he added.

The father of two was reportedly taken to a hospital in Hartford, Connecticut.

Baker's mother told TMZ Sports that her son suffered a "serious" stroke and needed emergency surgery. She also said it was a "miracle" that her son's body was recovering exceptionally from the stroke.

Doctors expect Baker to make a full recovery from his life-threatening health scare.

The Washington Commanders’ official Twitter account shared a photo of Baker hooked up to IVs while sitting on a hospital bed. The Commanders captioned the photo with prayer hand emojis.

\u201c\ud83d\ude4f\ud83d\ude4f\ud83d\ude4f Former Washington DT Chris Baker @TMZ_Sports\u201d
— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@COMMANDERS FOOTBALL) 1674683464

During his nine-year NFL career, Baker played for the Washington Redskins for six seasons. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins. Baker started his professional football career with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2009, but only played one game for Denver.

Chris "Swaggy" Baker finished his NFL career with 214 tackles and 12 sacks. He played in 93 NFL games and made 55 starts.

Baker played college football at Hampton University and Penn State University.

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Washington Football Team — after scrubbing 'offensive' Redskins name in 2020 — is now the Commanders. And mockers are already nicknaming team 'Commies.'



The Washington Football Team — formerly known as the Redskins, which NBC News characterized as a "long-used racist slur against Native Americans" — has a new name.

Hey, D.C. fans — you now have the Washington Commanders to cheer on at FedEx Field.

What are the details?

The team's Wednesday announcement of its new name comes a year and a half after employing "the Football Team" as a placeholder name following the decision to scrub the Redskins moniker in July 2020 amid increased racism outcries over the death of George Floyd.

NBC News didn't use the word "Redskins" in its article about the name change, but the network did say the team was "criticized for using an offensive name, which mocked Native Americans."

Team president Jason Wright said the Commanders moniker “has the weight and meaning befitting a 90-year-old franchise," NBC News added.

“It’s something that broadly resonated with our fans, and it’s something that we believe embodies the values of service and leadership that really define the DMV [i.e., DC/Maryland/Virginia] and this community. It’s also something importantly that we can own and grow for the next 90 years,” Wright added on "Today," the network said.

Here's a video introducing the Commanders:

One legacy. One unified future. \n\nWe are the Washington Commanders \n\n#TakeCommandpic.twitter.com/Eav9NOV5Mm
— Washington Commanders (@Washington Commanders) 1643807505

NBC News said other names that had been under final consideration included the Armada, Presidents, Brigade, Red Hogs, Red Wolves, and Defenders.

How are folks reacting to 'Commanders'?

As you might expect, plenty of folks are not fans of the team's new name:

  • "So let me get this straight: they replaced the Washington Redskins and their awesome logo of a Native American warrior with the 'Washington Commanders' to honor the white guys who conquered them?" one Twitter commenter observed.
  • “'4th and 25 for the Washington Commanders' has a nice ring to it," another user quipped. "I like it!"
  • "Good to see the #Washington @commanders have decided to continue the team’s long tradition ... of making bad decisions," another commenter said.

Even the team's star defensive end Chase Young graded "Commanders" with an F when asked about it along with other possible new names late last year:

Chase Young graded potential Washington team names in November\u2026\n\nHe gave the Commanders a F pic.twitter.com/IHRxRqkfJI
— PFF (@PFF) 1643808228

Others quickly noted what could be an unfortunate team nickname: The Commies. Sports podcaster Pat McAfee saw it right away:

Rebranding is always gonna be tough and I think \u201cThe Washington Commanders\u201d is a good name..\n\nNow of course.. They\u2019re gonna be called The Commies.. they\u2019re red.. in the Nation\u2019s capital but nonetheless.. Commanders is a good name
— \ud83c\udd7f\ufe0fat McAfee (@\ud83c\udd7f\ufe0fat McAfee) 1643808262

Others couldn't help letting their mockery fly over "commies" also:

  • "Haha. The Washington Commies!!!" another Twitter user said. "So fitting for DC these days lol."
  • "Can't wait to hear the 'Let's Go Commies!' chants at FedEx field," another commenter wrote. "Great choice...lol"
  • "Washington Commanders is a mouthful and people will want a way to shorten it up," another use said. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present: The Washington Commies."

Anything else?

The Redskins name had been drawing an increasing degree of protest in recent years, but amid 2020's rioting and social media mobs rallying to dismantle and cancel just about anything attached to the slightest hint of racism, cultural appropriation, colonialism, or white supremacy — even if connections were centuries in the past — the team had greater motivation to fall in line.

The Washington franchise made other moves with the same politically correct flavor, such as dropping cheerleaders in favor of a coed dance squad in order to "be more inclusive" in early 2021. And just prior to last season, it banned fans from wearing Native American headdresses and face paint at home games.

Interestingly, back in 2016, the Washington Post released a poll indicating that a vast majority of Native Americans didn't have a problem with Washington's then-mascot, the Redskins.