Commanders unveiled as new Washington name

The Washington Football Team this morning unveiled its new moniker as the Commanders, with team President Jason Wrightsaying it is a “name that has the weight and meaning befitting a 90-year-old franchise.” Wright: “It’s something that broadly resonated with our fans, and it’s something that we believe embodies the values of service and leadership that really defined … this community and it’s also something importantly that we could own and grow for the next 90 years and it’s something that can allow us to tie the rich history and championship legacy of this franchise to new traditions in the future.” 

NBC's Craig Melvin noted the team “didn't touch the color scheme.” Commanders DT Jonathan Allen: “We loved it, we're going to support it and we’re going forward with it. We're excited about the future.” Wright: “The rebrand has been an interesting period because it’s coincided with a time of very rapid, very real and irreversible change in the organization, and it’s from that position of strength now that this diverse and empowered leadership team is united to bring a championship back to the burgundy and gold under the banner of the Washington Commanders” ( “Today,” NBC, 2/2).

HOFer Joe Theismann yesterday hinted that Commanders could be the new name, and footage from a helicopter camera for DC-based WRC-NBC last night “showed a banner that said ‘Commanders’ inside the team’s stadium (N.Y. TIMES, 2/2).