Washington Football Team to Unveil Nickname Feb. 2
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Red Hogs? Armada? Presidents?
Red Tails?
Or still just Washington Football Team?
For those engaging in NFL betting, the guessing game is on for what the new nickname will be for the burgundy-and-gold clad team in the nation’s capital.
On Tuesday, the Washington Football Team said it would announce its nickname on Feb. 2.
Choosing ‘A Meaningful’ Brand
In a team-produced video titled “Making the Brand,” team president Jason Wright said the franchise is “on the brink of starting a new chapter, but our history, our legacy cannot be lost along the way.”
“Now, more than ever, it’s important that we stay connected to our roots. We understand the importance of choosing a meaningful name: one that will anchor the team for the next 90 years and beyond,” Wright said.
Some Nicknames Eliminated
The football team, which goes into Sunday's regular-season finale as a 6.5-point favorite against the New York Giants on DraftKings Sportsbook, dropped the nickname “Redskins” in 2020 as sports franchises nationwide evaluated racist terms and images associated with their teams.
Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians recently changed its nickname to the Guardians.
Wright said the football team’s rebranding wouldn’t use Native American imagery, the Associated Press reported.
Two nicknames that had been popular with Washington fans, Wolves and RedWolves, also won’t be used. Those names are trademarked by other organizations.
‘Red Tails’ Given to Tuskegee Airmen
Among top contenders for the new nickname is Defenders, Commanders Redhawks, Brigade, Sentinels and Admirals.
These are in addition to popular favorites such as Red Hogs, Armada, Presidents and Red Tails.
The Red Tails name would honor the legendary Tuskegee Airman, a group of Black flyers who fought gallantly in World War II. The name derived from the red coloring applied their planes’ tails for identification.
TV Network Likes ‘Red Hogs’
On its website, CBS Sports has named Red Hogs its favorite.
“Is it a coincidence Washington will be unveiling its new name on Groundhog Day? Hopefully not,” the network website states.
The term “Hogs” was the unofficial nickname for the team in the 1980s and early 90s, when the team won three Super Bowls.
“Cutting ‘Red’ from the name would actually make it better, but still, this is clearly the best way to pay tribute to team history while embarking with a new identity,” according to CBS Sports.
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