Viral Petition Nears 150,000 Signatures To Reclaim NFL’s Redskins Name!
NFL fans are making their voices heard as a viral petition, demanding the league to change the Commanders name back to the Redskins has neared 150,000 signatures.
The petition went viral back in August, and continues to get publicity and attention as it is only a few thousand signatures away from its 150,000 signature goal.
NFL Fans Demand League To Rename The Washington Commanders
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A petition on Change.org is asking the NFL to rename the Washington Commanders back to the Washington Redskins as fans cannot get on board with the "Commander" name.
The team first changed its name to the Washington Football Team in 2020 after many said it was racially insensitive to call the team "Redskins."
That name, however, was only a placeholder as Washington then put a new, permanent name into place -- The Washington "Commanders". Ever since, fans have made fun of the new name, with some continuing to call them the "Redskins" and creating a petition to ask the league to change the team's name back.
The petition claims that "the name 'Redskins' carries deep cultural, historical, and emotional significance, honoring the bravery, resilience, and warrior spirit associated with Native American culture" and that "it was never intended as a derogatory or offensive term but as a symbol of respect and admiration".
The Name 'Commanders' Fails Fans, Per The Petition
The writer of the petition went on to explain why the "Commanders" name does not satisfy fans, explaining, "The name 'Commanders' fails to capture the essence, tradition, and historical weight associated with the Redskins. It lacks the uniqueness, emotional connection, and pride that our team's original name embodies."
The author added, "The change to 'Commanders' dilutes our team's identity and weakens the connection with its devoted fanbase. By restoring the Redskins name, we reinstate a symbol of unity, strength, and shared identity that has inspired generations of fans."
Over 130,000 NFL fans have signed the petition, nearing the goal of 150,000 signatures.
Washington Team President Makes His Voice Heard On The Petition
After the petition went viral back in August, the Washington Commanders President Jason Wright spoke out, putting his foot down and saying the name change will not be happening.
The petition does recognize that sometimes "change is necessary and beneficial", but "in this case, the name change has caused division among supporters, tarnishing the team's legacy and distancing it from its roots."
Although many fans think the petition makes excellent points, the Commanders' President says otherwise. "It is not being considered," Wright told 106.7 The Fan per FOX News. "Period."
The Washington Commanders Speak Out About The Name Change
The Commanders told Fox News Digital, "For nearly 90 years, this franchise had a different name, and many have fond memories of cheering for that team and watching it win three Super Bowls. This does not signify any shift in our approach nor does it change the valid reasons for dropping the name."
The statement came after a different petition went viral, one created by a controversial nonprofit group called Native American Guardians Association (NAGA).
Eunice Davidson, co-founder and president of NAGA, was outraged when many accused them of being a "fake group", telling Fox News, "We’re not a fake group. We’re tribal-enrolled members from tribes across the United States."
"People want to call us fake, and they’ve done that before," Davidson continued. "They never tell our story, and that’s their goal: To wipe out Native history. It’s discrimination when you go after one culture like this."
