After years of growing calls for a name change, the Washington Redskins organization announced today, July 13, that they will retire the team’s name and logo upon completion of an internal review.
The front office opened up an internal review into the name earlier this month after numerous sponsors called for a name change, including Nike, which recently removed the team’s products from its online store.
The announcement comes after a fresh round of criticisms of the team name—which many critics and Native American groups have called racist—in the wake of nationwide Black Lives Matter protests and a larger reckoning over racism in America.
Team owner Dan Snyder had, for years, declined to consider a name change, but in a press release from July 13, the team states, “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.”
Once the announcement was made, current and former players expressed their thoughts on Twitter. Dwayne Haskins, the team’s starting quarterback (and a Maryland native), and Phillip Daniels, former linebacker, both showed support for the name change.
As a kid who grew up in the dmv it’ll always be #HTTR but looking forward to the future 🤝 https://t.co/1qjYtrhGra
— Dwayne Haskins, Jr (@dh_simba7) July 13, 2020
The name will change tomorrow but the memories will remain! #HTTR pic.twitter.com/hEgf1ixZ9H
— Phillip Daniels (@PhillipDaniels) July 13, 2020
While the front office didn’t announce a new name today, the organization is expected to make an announcement in the coming weeks as the team gets ready to hit the field for the 2020 season.
