Washington Football Team Finally Reveals New Name: The Washington Commanders

After 18 months and two cumbersome seasons, the Washington Football Team, formerly known as the Washington Redskins, have announced their new, permanent team name: The Washington Commanders.

One legacy. One unified future. We are the Washington Commanders #TakeCommand pic.twitter.com/Eav9NOV5Mm

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 2, 2022

For those following the story, the new name isn't exactly surprising. The organization had accidentally leaked it days before the announcement in a presentation with NBC, who caught the new name on papers held by executive staff.

If the name does end up being Washington Commanders, it would only be fitting that they botched the secret by giving NBC Washington unblurred footage. pic.twitter.com/Ho3TeRliGr

— Paul Conner (@P_ConnerJr) January 27, 2022

The announcement ends a remarkably long sports controversy. The old, "Redskins" nickname inspired protests as far back as the '80s, as many considered the term a slur against Native Americans. Washington and their fans held steadfast for decades, to the point where South Park even parodied their stubbornness in an episode.

The tense time in America that was mid-2020 ultimately brought sponsor pressure onto franchise owner Dan Snyder, who finally acquiesced to change the name. With no replacement nickname picked, the team went by the "Washington Football Team" for two seasons.

Unlike baseball's Cleveland Guardians, formerly the Indians, "Commanders" seems to have no relation to anything explicitly D.C.-related. Naturally, fans were divided on the new name, with many feeling it was too generic. Others joked they would call the team the "Commies" as a way to troll the fans.

It took them two whole seasons to land on “Commanders.” That rules. You could’ve gotten to the same place in three minutes on Madden create-a-team

— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) February 2, 2022

If in fact the new name is Commanders, there is nothing NOTHING about this process that gave the fans any hope of a new direction for the franchise. And beyond the actual name, that’s the biggest takeaway #WashingtonFootball

— Reese Waters (@reesewaters) February 2, 2022

Gonna call the Washington Commanders the "Commies" and see how it goes

— Michael Taylor (@MichaelDanger19) January 27, 2022

let’s not focus on whether the Washington Commanders is a good name but instead focus on the fact a red and yellow team located in Washington DC named itself something that can be shortened to Commies focus on the hilarious aspect of NO ONE realizing this over 2 years pic.twitter.com/b1b5pCcYiC

— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) February 2, 2022

Cleveland Guardians: cool, retains phonics of old name while stripping out racial stereotypes, honors neat part of local history Washington Commanders: we made a movie about a football team but did not pay the NFL for licensing

— actioncookbook (@actioncookbook) February 2, 2022

Washington Commanders is like when the movie can’t get the rights to use an actual team so they throw something quick out there and hope it just doesn’t cause too much confusion

— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) February 2, 2022

Despite fan protestations, it seems everyone will just have to get used to "Commanders." It's doubtful Washington owners will want to go through another 40 years to change their name again.