NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants Commanders name change

In the ever-evolving NFL world where tradition and modernity clash, NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr. has cast a surprising spotlight on the NFL’s Washington Commanders by advocating for a return to their previous, brief, unconventional moniker: the Washington Football Team. Earnhardt Jr.’s suggestion reflects not just a personal preference but taps into broader sentiments about identity, branding, and the reception of the team’s recent name change.

Washington’s NFL team has undergone significant transformations in recent years, particularly concerning its name and branding. The original name, which the team held for over eight decades, was retired in 2020 amid increasing public and corporate pressure due to its racially insensitive nature. This change marked a pivotal moment in the sports world, reflecting broader social movements and the push for racial sensitivity.

The interim name, “Washington Football Team,” was introduced for the 2020 season. This placeholder, initially met with skepticism and even mockery for its perceived lack of creativity, surprisingly began to win over fans with its minimalist and inclusive approach. Dale Earnhardt Jr., among others, appreciated its uniqueness and the fresh slate it represented, setting the team apart within the NFL.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., a long-time NFL fan, particularly of Washington’s team since the 1980s, holds a unique position when discussing the franchise’s developments. His affinity for the team is intertwined with personal connections, notably with and NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs. Gibbs’ crossover into NASCAR establishes a shared history that enriches Earnhardt’s ties to the football team.

In recent comments on the Rich Eisen show, Earnhardt Jr. expressed a nostalgic preference for the “Washington Football Team” name. “I think they should change it back to the Football Team, the Washington Football Team is a really cool name,” Earnhardt Jr. remarked.  “Of course anytime you change the name, and when they changed the name to the Football Team we all had the same reaction, man this is weird, this is odd, I don’t like it, but actually by the end of the first season as the Football Team we were different, it was good, we liked it. I think most people who wrapped their brains around it we’re like I kind of like this, it set us apart in the whole NFL’s industry with that type of a name, and I don’t feel that way at the end of season one around the Commanders. Will I in a few years? Maybe it’ll sort of come normal and feel normalized to me but that Washington Football Team name was kind of cool and had a blank slate with jerseys and everything there and um that would be kind of neat I think to go back.”

The rebranding to “Washington Football Team” was a temporary solution during a period of reevaluation for the franchise. By the end of its short tenure from 2020 to 2021, the name had garnered a fanbase appreciative of its simplicity and uniqueness—an anomaly in a league where mascots and spirited names are the norms. However, in 2022, the franchise unveiled its new permanent name, the “Washington Commanders,” which has since received mixed reactions.

Many fans and observers have critiqued the new name for lacking the straightforwardness and character that “Washington Football Team” unexpectedly embodied. Earnhardt Jr. himself has voiced a similar sentiment, noting, “I don’t feel that way at the end of season one around the Commanders.” His uncertainty about whether the new name will ever feel as “normalized” as the temporary one did highlights a broader community ambivalence.

The decision to retire the original name and mascot came after decades of controversy and heightened scrutiny over racial depictions in sports. The move aligns with a global reassessment of cultural symbols, driven by a new awareness and sensitivity to historical injustices. The temporary name was part of a broader strategy to cleanse the palette and reconsider how the team’s identity could inclusively resonate with a diverse fan base.

The selection of “Commanders” as the new permanent name was intended to evoke a sense of leadership and authority but has not resonated as powerfully with the community as hoped. This dissonance between the franchise’s intention and public reception underscores the challenges of rebranding in a way that honors tradition while embracing progress.

Future Implications for The Commanders