Ex-Redskins get interim name
NEW YORK: The former Washington Redskins will use Washington Football Team as an interim name for the 2020 NFL season, the club announced on Thursday, dropping the team’s logo as well.
The team made the announcement in the wake of growing US social movements against racist symbols and monuments, the name team owner Dan Snyder once vowed never to change being retired before the start of the 2020 campaign.
Going with a temporary name will allow more time to make a choice about a longer-lasting nickname moving forward after dropping Redskins, which had been used since 1933.
“The decision to use ‘Washington Football Team’ for this season allows the franchise the ability to undertake an in-depth branding process to properly include player, alumni, fan, community, and sponsor input,” the team said. “To date, we have been pleased to see so many people putting forward their vision of what the new name and design should be on their social media channels and we look forward to including their feedback as this process progresses.”
The team website’s new banner, set to be displayed in stadium end zones this season, was Washington football team, established 1932, with the normal burgundy and gold colours remaining.
The profile face of a Native American as the team logo was reduced in size and placement as a first step towards being removed. “The Redskins name and logo will officially be retired by the start of the 2020 season,” the team said.
“In addition, we are rolling out an aesthetic that reflects the direction of the franchise as we progress towards a new name and design scheme.”
The team plans a 50-day operation to remove all Redskins-branded imaging from all team facilities with plans to be done before the team’s Sept 13 home opener against Philadelphia.
The Redskins logo used on player helmets will be replaced by the number of each particular player while “Washington” will replace “Redskins” on the stitching below the neck opening on the front of the jersey.
The club was founded as the Boston Braves in 1932, became the Redskins the following year and moved to Washington for the 1937 NFL season.