My mom (aka, Barb in my first book, Stuck in the Onesies) was the ultimate Redskin fan. She would have never understood the need to change their name, and I thoroughly expect her to punch me in the arm for allowing it to happen when I see her in heaven. Hope she doesn’t get in trouble for that. Can you get in trouble when in Heaven? That’s another blog, I’m thinking.

My favorite Christmas ornament is one of a framed picture of Mom with the Redskin mascot, Chief Zee, at a Redskin game. Chief Zee wore a full Redskin headdress to the game every Sunday. He’s an iconic memory for us Redskin fans.

Now the Redskins call themselves the Washington Commanders. I suppose there are worse names, like Guardians. Sorry, Cleveland.

So, here’s my question. If the Redskins had to change their name to Commanders because it was “disrespectful” to the American Indians, why is it then politically correct to have a team named the Buccaneers? Last I checked, those guys were criminals. Robbing and plundering ships all with the blessing of their government. Who wants to glorify that? Not answering that question…

Then there’s the Pirates. Sorry, Pittsburgh, but I know for a fact pirates were criminals (my third book is all about the Golden Age of Piracy). Just saying…It’s the same as naming a team the “Criminals,” and being proud of it. Seriously?

Growing up a Redskin fan meant you were loyal and always honored to wear the emblem of a proud red man.

The Redskins organization showed a love and respect for the American Indian. The headdress on that helmet was and always will be, the best helmet there ever was in the NFL (not that I’m biased or anything).

It’s a regal picture that portrays a proud native American and one that personifies respect. The profile is fashioned after three real American Indians. One of the Indians was John Two Guns White Calf. The “buffalo nickel” was minted from 1913 to 1938 and used his profile.

As recently as 2024, his great nephew, Thomas White Calf, was quoted as saying, “Our ancestor was the most famous and most photographed native in history,” He went on to say in an interview,
“Two Guns was also the face on the Indian head nickel. I’m proud of him. The Blackfeet are proud of him.” His relatives want his likeness returned to the franchise. Thomas said, “The fans want him back and we want him back.”

If he’s good enough for the nickel, he’s good enough for our logo!

So, going back to Mom. She began to appreciate the game of football in a “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em attitude.” Rather than continue to be a football widow, she sat down next to Dad every Sunday afternoon and he would explain just what was happening on the field. Her own personal John Madden. During this time, Granny, her mother, became a bigtime Redskin fan. It’s a family thing.

Back in the 80s when Joe Gibbs was the Redskins coach, the team flourished. Mom and I traveled to San Diego for the 1988 Super Bowl where the Redskins defeated the Denver Broncos 42-10. A few years later, our team suffered loss after loss, and we had a tough time hanging on to fans. My daughter defected to the Ravens because they wore purple. Really?

So, here’s the deal. Every fall I put the Redskins on a pedestal saying, “Hey we’re in first place at the beginning of every season.” But by the fourth or fifth game, we would start to fizzle. Then enter 2024 with new owners, a great coach (Dan Quinn), and a stellar rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels. That combined with some great players like Terry McClaurin, who stuck with us through thick and thin. For the first time in decades, there was something to cheer about.

To say I’m proud of the Redskins doesn’t seem right, but I am. I’ve done nothing to be “proud” of, but the team surely has. They just need their name and logo back.

Here’s a definition of tradition from AI, “Tradition is a custom, belief, or practice passed down through generations within a culture, community, or family, often shaping identity and values.” I’m open to hear what’s wrong with being just that, but some might disagree. Am I a fanatic? I’ll take the charge. I’ve been called worse.

When President Trump changed the name of the gulf to the Gulf of America, I jokingly remarked to anyone who would listen, “If he can change the gulf’s name, the Redskins’ name should be easy!” And then this happened…

One day last week, I turned on the news to hear that President Trump was encouraging the Commanders organization to change the name back to the Washington Redskins. I don’t know who got him to jump on this bandwagon, but I applaud them. Some folks suspect it was simply to change the script and get people to focus on something other than the current media hype. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful for the focus on my beloved Redskins. This time, DJT has flipped the buffalo nickel, and it landed heads up with John Two Guns White Calf proudly displayed.

I heard they (the Commanders organization) had a contest to select a new name. First, it was the Washington Football Team. Seriously? I’m disappointed I missed that email, ‘cause nobody asked me, and I had the perfect solution. They could’ve changed the name to the Washington Warriors, kept the logo and fight song. Think of the marketing money they would’ve saved. Bet they’re sorry they forgot to ask me

This picture is at FedEx Field, home of the Commanders last year. I’m wearing Mom’s Redskin sweatshirt. I wasn’t alone, I’d bet almost half the fans there were wearing Redskins vintage of one type or another. We just can’t leave it alone.

Let’s honor tradition and the American Indian culture again with our headdress, fight song, and name. Allow tradition to have its role in history. Hail to the Redskins!