Dan, Tanya Snyder looking forward to new chapter as Commanders originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Just as he did prior to introducing Ron Rivera as head coach two Januarys ago, Washington Commanders co-owner Dan Snyder began his podium session on Wednesday with a joke.
"Welcome to not the best-kept secret in D.C.," Snyder said, just moments before he and his wife, co-owner Tanya Snyder, would unveil the franchise's new name, logo and uniforms.
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Washington officially rebranded as the Commanders on Wednesday, ending an 18-month process following the retirement of the franchise's old name and logo in July of 2020.
For the Snyders, Wednesday represented a monumental day in the franchise's history, the beginning of a new era for one of the NFL's most storied franchises.
"Today is a big day for our team, our fans. A day in which we embark on a new chapter as the Washington Commanders," Dan Snyder said. "It's been a long journey to get to this point and I'm grateful to everyone who's been part of this process along the way."
Dan Snyder also specifically thanked Washington's alumni -- several former players including Joe Theismann, Gary Clark and London Fletcher were in attendance -- for helping connect the franchise's past to its future.
In a statement released by the team shortly after the announcement, Dan Snyder emphasized the importance of Washington's rebrand having connections to the franchise's past.
"'As an organization, we are excited to rally and rise together as one under our new identity while paying homage to our local roots and what it means to represent the nation's capital," Dan Snyder said. "As we kick-off our 90th season, it is important for our organization and fans to pay tribute to our past traditions, history, legacy and the greats that came before us. We continue to honor and represent the Burgundy & Gold while forging a pathway to a new era in Washington. Today may mark the first day for the Washington Commanders, but we are and always will be Washington."
Tanya Snyder also spoke before the unveiling, thanking everyone who helped over the past year and a half for the franchise to get to its current point in the rebranding process.
"I want to start by addressing our gratitude that you've joined us today for this momentum occasion, as well as many partners that joined us along the journey," she said. "As we kick off our 90th year, we're excited to celebrate the rich history of the Burgundy and Gold while also paving the way for our new tradition as Washington Commanders."
