Washington selects Commanders as new NFL team name after two-season process

LANDOVER, Md. — It's the Washington Commanders.

After 87 years with its former name and two years as the Washington Football Team, the franchise announced Wednesday morning its new name would be the Commanders. The team also unveiled its new logo and uniforms.

Washington's leaders — team president Jason Wright and coach Ron Rivera — had stressed during the 20-month process that it would like to incorporate the military because of its connection to the nation's capital.

Commander is a term used most often in the military as a naval officer rank, but it also can be used as a generic term.

One legacy. One unified future. We are the Washington Commanders <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/TakeCommand?src=hash&ref_src=» https: www.espn.com>#TakeCommand

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«As an organization, we are excited to rally and rise together as one under our new identity while paying homage to our local roots and what it means to represent the nation's capital,» team owner Dan Snyder said in a statement. «As we kick-off our 90th season, it is important for our organization and fans to pay tribute to our past traditions, history, legacy and the greats that came before us. We continue to honor and represent the Burgundy & Gold while forging a pathway to a new era in Washington. Today may mark the first day for the Washington Commanders, but we are and always will be Washington.»

Washington's quest for a new name began in July 2020, following protests across the United States after the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota. Around that time, Snyder started having discussions with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about possibly changing the name that was considered by some to be offensive and racist. The team kept its burgundy and