Washington Redskins – The History of the Helmet
Back in the day, the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears were in the old NFL “black and blue division.” The Packers and Bears have a long-time rivalry the reached up to the Bears Defensive Coordinator George Allen and Green Bay Packers Head Coach Vince Lombardi being rivals as well. As we know, Vince Lombardi retired from the championship Green Bay Packers and then became Head Coach and part owner of the Washington Redskins in 1969. One of the things Lombardi did besides make the Redskins a winning team his first year was to change the Redskins helmet design from a spear to an “R.” In Green Bay, the Packers had a simple “G” on their helmet so Lombardi put his mark on the Redskins with the “R” as part of the new look, winning Washington Redskins.
Unfortunately, Vince Lombardi had cancer and passed away in 1970. In 1971, the Washington Redskins hired successful Los Angeles Rams Head Coach George Allen, Jr. In an effort to make his mark on the Redskins immediately and not liking the Lombardi “R” on the helmets, George Allen instituted a change. With the help of Native American chiefs and their approval, the current Redskins logo design on the helmets was created. Allen had a winning season his first year also and the next year in 1972, he took the Washington Redskins to the NFC East Championship with a dominating victory over the Dallas Cowboys and then on to the Super Bowl. The Redskins wore Allen’s helmets with the logo that is still worn today.
“The face shows character, strength, and honor,” Head Coach Allen said of the Native American face on the helmet. Walter “Blackie” Wetzel actually designed the logo and he was the former President of the National Congress of American Indians. The logo was approved by Native Americans at that time. Both George Allen Vince Lombardi were “color blind” and neither were racists. The Redskins logo was never intended to offend anyone. Bobby Blackfoot said, “Many of you have asked me about the original picture used for the Washington Redskins logo. This is one of the six pictures presented and is what is represented on the helmets today! My Grandma says she is so proud to see Chief Two Guns White Calf on the field, helmets and everywhere. I have the same pride knowing this is based after the real people of the USA. HAIL REDSKINS PRIDE!”
I have been a fan since 1969 and love my Washington Redskins. I too am Redskins proud and I like our helmet logo George Allen had designed and introduced back in 1972. Like George Allen, I also view the Redskins logo as a face of strength, pride, honor, toughness and other positive characteristics. HAIL. HTTR!
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