A Timeline of the Washington Football Team's Name Change Saga

A timeline of the Washington Football Team's name change saga originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

In July 2020, the course of the name on the front of jerseys for the Washington football franchise changed forever. In an instance, a review of the team's former moniker, which was facing backlash from the public as well as team sponsors, created a domino effect that would lead to a new era for the Burgundy and Gold.

Now one full rotation around the sun removed from a series of decisions that transformed everything, let's take a look back at the timeline of the name change situation.

July 3, 2020

After team owner Dan Snyder and Washington faced pressure from the public and major team sponsors such as FedEx and Nike to change the nickname, the organization announces that it will launch a "thorough review" into the team's name and logo, which was considered to be a racial slur by many.

July 13, 2020

Ten days later, Snyder and Washington announce that the former name of the team will be retired.

"Dan Snyder and Coach (Ron) Rivera are working closely to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud, tradition rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years," the team said in a statement.

In the coming weeks -- and still to this day -- numerous suggestions for new nicknames and designs flooded in. From RedWolves to RedTails and everything in between, internet campaigns became huge.

July 23, 2020

Despite all the name suggestions, Washington goes a separate route. The team announces that it will enter a new era as The Washington Football Team. It is a stop-gap and viewed as a temporary name as the organization wants to take more time into making sure the next brand of the franchise completely embodies everything they want. 

Aug 17, 2020

The Washington Football Team hires Jason Wright, a former NFL player and management consultant to be the new team president. Wright is given plenty of tasks, but none bigger than implementing a new culture from top to bottom and helping the team find its next name.

August 28, 2020

The Washington Football Team unveiled its uniforms for the 2020 season. Jerseys and pants are rather similar to the old look with the slight difference of "Washington" being written near the chest. The biggest change is that the helmets featured just the numbers of the players in place of the old logo that had been retired.

January 12, 2021

Even with the season now over, there isn't much of an update on if a new name will join the team in 2021. Head coach Ron Rivera notes that until he hears something new from Wright and Snyder, the team will remain the Washington Football Team.

April 16, 2021

The internet explodes when Wright and the Washington Football Team send out a survey asking ticketholders to share what names they like from a broad list. In two survey documents obtained by NBC Sports Washington, names such as the Aviators, Wild Hogs, Presidents, Capital City Football Club, Ambassadors, Monarchs, Riders, Redwolves, Wayfares, Griffins, Warriors, Armada, Rising, Swifts, Commanders, Pilots, Rubies, Renegades and DC Football Club were all listed as potential options.

While plenty with strong opinions over the names listed, Wright explains that those names are not a final grouping but rather just a point in the process to see where fans are at. A decision on the name is still not imminent.

July 3, 2021

A year removed from the moment everything changed for Washington, questions still remain. The team will enter 2021 as The Washington Football Team and what comes after that is not known. 

 

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