Native American Leaders to Commanders: Drop Old Name for Good

Native American leaders have urged the Washington Commanders to abandon their old team name and logo, arguing that the name is a racial slur against indigenous people. Peter Landeros of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, a member of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, expressed his opposition to any usage of the old name and logo, stating that it only represents a few tribes and that the style of the featured war bonnet is not representative of Indigenous tribes in the Washington, D.C. area.

The Commanders have recently sold limited merchandise featuring the old name and logo, tied to apparel showcasing prominent former players, but they maintain that they will not revert to the previous name and logo. The team emphasizes that their goal is to authentically represent the era the items represent while also protecting their trademarks.

However, some Native American leaders believe that the Commanders should drop the name entirely, citing nostalgia and the need for respect. The team's actions have been criticized by those who feel the name and logo should be abandoned for good.