'The fans want him back': Family of Blackfeet chief, the inspiration for Redskins' logo, calls for logo's return



Relatives of the famous John Two Guns White Calf are calling for the NFL to bring back the Washington Redskins' logo that bears their ancestor's likeness.

The NFL team from Washington, D.C., was named the Redskins from 1937 to 2019 until the owners decided to remove the nickname and logo because they found it offensive. Despite fan outcry, the team has consistently said it would not return.

"The fans want him back and we want him back," said Thomas White Calf, the great nephew of Two Guns.

White Calf met with Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mt.), who is working with the family to have their story told.

'Our ancestor was the most famous and most photographed native in history.'

Speaking to Fox News, White Calf was joined by his mother, Delphine White Calf, who is a niece of the former Blackfeet chief. The two told the outlet that they "want a seat at the table" when it comes to the Washington football organization, now called the Commanders.

The Blackfeet members made the argument that having the logo is actually a point of pride for their tribe.

"Our ancestor was the most famous and most photographed native in history," said White Calf. He continued, "Two Guns was also the face on the Indian Head nickel. I'm proud of him. The Blackfeet are proud of him."

Sen. Daines labeled the issue as "righting a wrong" and said the logo represents Native history in the country. He added that Two Guns' story should be "enthusiastically celebrated" across the nation.

The Washington Commanders responded to the comments and said the team planned on working with the Republican to honor the legacy of the team's heritage.

"At the senator's suggestion, we have developed a positive relationship with Ryan Wetzel, the grandson of Walter 'Blackie' Wetzel, who designed the logo. We look forward to honoring that legacy," a Commanders spokesperson said.

Wetzel, a deceased Blackfeet chief, reportedly created the portrait of Two Guns White Calf in 1971, which allegedly received widespread support. The NFL team adopted the image as its logo in 1972.

However, the Wetzel family claimed the football organization has ignored them for decades.

Redskins legend Mark Rypien recently made statements that the team needed to remember its roots and get back to playing like the Redskins. At the same time, he said the team's name change needs to be accepted.

"It's just this day and age now that we have to deal with. ... We are going to support these guys because that's the era we are in."

He continued, "I want to support these guys, this team, and get this Commanders football team back to playing the type of football the Redskins played back in our era."

During a 2024 preseason press conference, Commanders owner Josh Harris said that the Redskins name "can't come back."

"We've been very clear, we can't, for obvious reasons, the old name can't come back," Harris explained, per Audacy.

The team also told Fox News that it had no plans to bring back the old logo.

Two Guns was born in Montana in 1872 and fought to preserve Native culture.

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'I am a Redskin': NFL legend Mark Rypien rejects Washington Commanders name but says 'we have to deal with' new moniker



Washington Redskins legend Mark Rypien said the Commanders nickname is not growing on him and never will.

Rypien made the comments during an interview on Washington radio station 106.7 the Fan and was asked how he felt about the Washington team nickname, the Commanders.

"It's not growing on me, and it never will," Rypien responded.

Washington was named the Redskins from 1937 to 2019 until, for political reasons, owners decided to remove the nickname as they themselves found it offensive.

The organization held the interim name of the Washington Football Team for 2020-2021, until becoming the Washington Commanders in 2022.

"I never played for the Commanders. I absolutely support the Commanders and what they're doing now. But I never played for them," Rypien said, according to Athlon Sports. "I am not a Commanders' legend. I am a Redskin. I love my guys," he later said.

Rypien won two Super Bowls with the Redskins, one while on the bench and one as a starting quarterback. He was named MVP for Super Bowl XXVI.

'For obvious reasons, the old name can't come back.'

Rypien expressed the desire for the team to remember its roots and said he hopes the organization doesn't "lose the fact that we were 'Redskins.'"

"That's all I played for. That's what I knew, and that's all we remember."

Rypien also made multiple mentions of the fact that the team is in a new era and, likely to the dismay of some fans, said the name change simply needs to be accepted.

"It's just this day and age now that we have to deal with. ... We are going to support these guys because that's the era we are in."

He continued, "I want to support these guys, this team, and get this Commanders football team back to playing the type of football the Redskins played back in our era."

During a 2024 preseason press conference, Commanders owner Josh Harris said that the Redskins name "can't come back."

"We've been very clear, we can't, for obvious reasons, the old name can't come back," Harris explained, per Audacy.

Harris said he was focusing on unity and "not things that might drive people apart."

He added, "The name is one of those things that [inspires] a lot of opinions, but I mean I can't say ... [I've] certainly not forgotten about it. Like I said, I grew up here. And so, I understand it. We're gonna start to do things that bring us back to our heritage, honoring our past. You saw the gold pants, those are easy things to do."

The naming controversy has steadily been a topic of discussion around the team since its change, but a recent gaff by a marketing employee robbed preseason headlines.

The Commanders vice president of social media content was caught in an undercover journalism sting where he denigrated white and black players on the team.

"Over 50% of our roster, right, is either white, religious, and God says, 'F*** the gays,' in their interpretation," the employee told his undercover date. "Another big chunk is very low income African-American that comes from a community that is inherently very homophobic."

The employee was later fired.

- YouTube

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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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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.

Washington Football Team bans fans from wearing Native American garb and face paint at its home stadium this season



The Washington Football Team — formerly known as the Washington Redskins until the franchise dropped the name a year ago amid racism outcries and rioting following the death of George Floyd — is banning fans from wearing Native American headdresses and face paint this season at its home stadium, FedEx Field, ESPN reported.

Incidentally, the newly named Cleveland Guardians (former the Indians) of Major League Baseball made the same move earlier this year.

What are the details?

The outlet said the Washington Football Team will hold a Friday practice at FedEx Field, and about 20,000 fans are expected to attend.

ESPN noted that it looks to be the biggest crowd at FedEx Field since the final home game in 2019 — which means it would represent the largest number of people there since the team dropped its former name in July 2020 and indicated "The Washington Football Team" would be its placeholder moniker.

But in March, team President Jason Wright said the organization and its fans have warmed to "The Washington Football Team" name — and that the club is considering making it the permanent name.

Wright also recently announced that Washington would not be choosing the name Warriors as its new moniker, ESPN said, adding that Native American leaders a year ago said "Warriors" would be too close to the team's former name and therefore unacceptable.

Anything else?

The Redskins name had been drawing an increasing degree of protest over the last several years, but amid last summer'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 the connection was centuries in the past — gave Washington greater motivation to fall in line.

The team made other off-season moves with the same politically correct flavor, such as dropping cheerleaders in favor of a coed dance squad in order to "be more inclusive."

Interestingly, back in 2016 — before the embrace of woke culture and cancel culture became everyday folks' tickets to not getting harassed around the clock — 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.

Washington Football Team president says team might just make the generic, underwhelming placeholder name permanent



Last July, the team formerly known as the Washington Redskins bowed to woke pressure to jettison the "offensive" moniker and adopt a new name that would not violate the sensibilities of any select group.

They landed on a name that was unlikely to make anyone upset.

In fact, the new name was so bland it was certain to avoid engendering any sort of passion at all — among foes or fans.

They would henceforth — at least for the 2020 season — be known as the Washington Football Team.

Analysts, fans, spectators, and even the most uninterested observers believed the name to be nothing more than an inoffensive placeholder, what with the impending season only weeks away.

But it just might be here to stay.

They're keeping it?

Now, according to ESPN, Washington football fans could be stuck with the flaccid nickname permanently.

Team President Jason Wright claimed the organization and its fans have warmed to the name, the outlet reported Tuesday afternoon.

Wright said the club is considering Football Team as a permanent name because of alleged fan sentimentality and that the name somehow offers what ESPN said is "a strong connection to the past."

Regardless of whether fans like it or not, they better be ready for it for 2021, because the Washington Football Team will be the only NFL franchise inside the Beltway. Any permanent name change won't take effect until the 2022 season.

Wright emphasized that there is not a leading contender for a new name, ESPN reported, but noted that the Football Team handle has some sort of deep tie to the team's history.

"There are a set of folks that have warmed to the Washington Football Team," he said. "Some of the things that are emerging from that are the Washington Football Team has something that ties deeply to our history. It feels like that isn't jettisoning all the things we have been in the past, whereas something that's completely new might feel that way."

Claiming that Football Team is not a "complete reset," Dan Snyder's top man alleged that a "substantial part" of the D.C. fan base feels the generic name "is a continuation of something" instead of being "something brand new."

The club is taking suggestions for a new name and logo through April 5 and has received 15,000 submissions so far.

Wright said he is communicating with alumni, international fans, young fans, longtime fans, and members of the military, as well as using focus groups in order to "understand deeply held beliefs."

Critics of the name change likely have questions as to whether the team ever actually discussed "deeply held beliefs" with, say, Native American groups before they changed their name. The Washington Post actually did — and got results that would likely shock most woke activists demanding "offensive" team mascots be erased.

Washington Football Team is growing more woke: No more cheerleaders next season



The Washington Football Team — previously known the world over as the "Redskins" before ownership ditched the increasingly controversial moniker last summer amid a left-wing wave that crashed upon America's institutions — appears to be growing even more woke.

What now?

The NFL franchise will not have cheerleaders this coming season — a first after more than 50 years, USA Today reported.

In their place will be a coed dance squad, according to Petra Pope, the team's newly hired senior adviser, who told the paper "we want to be more inclusive."

"Being super athletic" is the new goal, she added to USA Today: "We're able to do more things with the strength of a male, and lifts, so that's changed a great deal. The inclusivity, strength, and interest of choreography has changed."

More from the paper:

Pope brings more than three decades' experience in NBA entertainment to her new role overseeing creative direction and gameday entertainment. She redesigned the Nets' gameday experience as the team moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn, in addition to spending 14 years with the Knicks. In Los Angeles, Pope managed the Lakers' "Laker Girls."

Pope said all contracts with Washington's cheerleaders have expired, but all of them are eligible to audition for the 2021 dance squad, the paper said.

Anything else?

As for the team's new moniker, it was reported last summer that it was a temporary fix while the front office searches for a new name and mascot for future seasons.

Before settling on "Football Team," the franchise announced in early July — the height of the George Floyd rioting — that it was reviewing the Redskins moniker "in light of recent events around our country and feedback from our community."

Team owner Dan Snyder has said previously he'd never change the team's name, but soon he was on board with it. The new direction coincided with pressure from elected officials who said they'd fight against the team's intention to build a new stadium in Washington, D.C., unless the team changed its name.

Also last July, numerous women who worked for the franchise claimed they were sexually harassed by team employees. Not coincidentally among the women in question were members of the 2008 and 2010 cheerleading squads; it was alleged that team employees created videos of outtakes from calendar shoots when the women weren't fully dressed, USA Today added.

The franchise denied the existence of videos, and an attorney representing the team and owner Daniel Snyder told the paper that the matter "has been resolved."