A former NFL coach has expressed support for the Washington Commanders’ previous name.
The team was known as the Redskins from 1937 to 2019, but dropped the name ahead of the 2020 season (after initially going by the Washington Football Team for two seasons) due to years of social pressure, with many Native Americans finding the moniker culturally insulting.
However, during a recent interview on the Pat McAfee Show, former Colts coach Chuck Pagano referred to Washington as the ‘Redskins’ and doubled back when his former punter informed him that the team ‘is not in the league.Pagano stated, “They should go back.” ‘That is why I said it.’
The team’s previous emblem, which featured a photo of late Blackfeet Nation head John Two Guns White Calf, has also sparked criticism.
The Native American Journalists Association condemned the team’s ‘harmful, racist mascots’ in 2016.
In March 2020, UC Berkeley released a research that discovered that more than half of its 1,000 Native American respondents were upset by the team name.
However, earlier this month, a great nephew of John Two Guns White Calf requested the Commanders to return to their former branding.
‘The fans want him back, and so do we,’ Thomas White Calf told Fox News after meeting with Senator Steve Daines (Republican, Montana).
‘Our ancestor was the most renowned and photographed native in history,’ Thomas explained. ‘Two Guns’ was also the face of the Indian head nickel. I am proud of him. The Blackfeet are proud of him.
Despite Thomas’ aspirations, it does not appear that the Commanders will return to their original moniker.
While minority owner Magic Johnson stated last year that ‘anything’ is on the table, majority owner Josh Harris told The Athletic in August that ‘the previous name can’t come back.’
However, it is apparent that some people still support the franchise’s former name and history.
Head coach Dan Quinn made headlines in May when he donned a graphic tee with two feathers from a Native American headdress next to the Commander’s name.
The team informed NBC Sports that they have ‘no organizational comment’ on the situation.
The report further stated that ‘Quinn donned the T-shirt on his own, without the team’s knowledge.’
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