After two seasons of being called simply "The Washington Football Team," the NFL franchise formerly known by a name that we apparently are not supposed to repeat (even as a historical reference or risk being ostracized by the PC Police) has decided on a new name. Henceforth, the team will be called The Washington Commanders.
As reported by USA Today earlier this week, the decision is the latest and most prominent step in a rebranding of the franchise, which announced in July of 2020 that it was "retiring" the previous nickname and logo after many years of protests that it constituted a racial slur against Native Americans.
The organization has also faced a series of accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct by team employees that resulted in an official NFL investigation. As a result of the probe's findings, which were never made public, the team was hit with a $10 million fine for what the league called “bullying and intimidation" within the workplace. In addition, owner Daniel Snyder was forced to turn over control of the team's day-to-day operations to his wife Tanya.
"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," Daniel Snyder said in a statement. "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."