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Set to honor a former player, Washington’s NFL team made one thing clear about something they’re “not able to do” for fans left feeling displaced.

In one of the most public surrenders in the culture war, nearly 90 years of tradition were tossed on the ash heap of history in 2020 when BLM protests overtook professional sports and the Washington Redskins abandoned their name and logo.

Now, as many fans have refused to support the rebranded Washington Commanders, a name decided after two years of play under the banner of the Washington Football Team, marketing executive Patrick Arthur told The Washington Post the door was unlocked, but it only opened one way.

“We would love to have them back when they’re ready,” he said referring fans who have abandoned support for the team over the woke decision-making.

“Honestly, it’s on their terms,” he went on. “As our ownership has said, we’re not going back to the old name. That’s not something we’re able to do. But we’re going to carry as many traditions (as we can), and a lot of what we do (is) going to honor the past. And when they’re ready to come back, we can’t wait to have them, whether it’s wearing our merchandise or wearing the old gear.”

Despite attempts to sell the change as something widely accepted and called for, the reality was that surveys had found 90% of Native Americans had no problem with the team’s brand and it was only activists causing a stir.

In fact, in September, as a new season was underway that saw the Commanders attempting to hold onto traditions while blurring their origins, the family of the Blackfeet chief, John Two Guns White Calf, who had inspired the logo, had joined fans in calling for the return to the long-running name and symbolism.

“The fans want him back and we want him back,” great nephew Thomas White Calf had told Fox News. “Our ancestor was the most famous and most photographed native in history.”

“Two guns was also the face on the Indian head nickel,” said niece Delphine White Calf. “I’m proud of him. The Blackfeet are proud of him.”

Meanwhile, the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) had repeatedly called out the branding and petitioned to “Reclaim the Name.”

However, as Arthur had insisted, the team owners, which included NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and billionaire Mitchell Rales, appeared to have little interest in stirring up the radicals that had prompted the change, and instead sought to capitalize on traditions like “Hail to the Redskins” by heavily promoting the slogan “Raise Hail.”

Similarly, another attempt to bridge past and present would be made Sunday with the retirement of cornerback Darrell Green’s number 28 at halftime during Sunday’s matchup with the Carolina Panthers that left many fans pointing out the history being erased with official merchandise marking the occasion.

Kevin Haggerty
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