The Solution to Washington’s Identity Crisis

The New York Giants dominated Washington 45-14 Thursday night.  While the game lacked scintillating action, it did serve to slow the hype surrounding Kirk Cousins.  The lasting storyline from the game will not be an on-field result.  Instead, CBS color commentator Phil Simms’ attempt to avoid using the name Redskins underscored an offseason storyline since overshadowed by the NFL’s domestic violence policy.  Simms has brought renewed attention to an unavoidable outcome.  The Washington Redskins will ultimately change their nickname.

Simms is one of an increasing group of broadcasters who have elected to boycott the Redskin name on air or at least work for a name change.  James Brown, Peter King, Cris Collinsworth, Bob Costas, Bill Simmons, Mike Florio, Tony Dungy, Michael Wilbon, and Tony Kornheiser are among the prominent NFL voices that feel strongly in favor of a new nickname in Washington.  They represent a wide spectrum of life experiences and views.  This change will originate from within the NFL, which is why the above list of influential voices looms large in this discussion.  However, the debate has seeped into the mainstream news cycle.  Among those also advocating for a switch are liberal commentator Rachael Maddow and conservative writer/ commentator Charles Krauthammer.  Once people with such diametrically opposed views agree on a course of action then change is coming.

The question is not if Washington should change it.  The pertinent question is what name should Washington adopt?  An amusing irony would be switching the name to the Bullets but that seems highly unlikely.  Therefore, the new moniker should be the Washington Warriors.  Other suggestions exist but Warriors is the best option.  This list of alternatives from Chris Chase of USA Today mentions some of the viable and some of the absurd ideas that are possibilities.  While Red Hawks is viable, the movement for the Bravehearts is whimsical.  It may not seem like it now but the William Wallace/ Mel Gibson jokes will become tiresome.

    

Warriors are number six on Chase’s list because of the obvious fit.  Keeping the team colors, fight song and logo is important.  The Washington Wizards can attest to that statement since they have gradually shifted away from the all-out color switch back to some of the Bullets' old color scheme.  Using an Indian centric name also keeps the Cowboys vs. Indians dynamic alive in the Dallas/ Washington rivalry.  What Chase has failed to appreciate is that Warriors will serve to alleviate the concerns of both sides of this debate.  For those who rightly argue that Redskin can be offensive it eliminates the problem.  However, for those who see a name change as the beginning of a broader assault on Indian based team names this will serve as a compromise.

From the Kansas City Chiefs to the Golden State Warriors to the Florida State Seminoles there are nicknames that may come under scrutiny despite a lack of offense inherent in the name.  If such names are offensive, then the Notre Dame Fighting Irish certainly are playing into a stereotype as well.  There is concern by many that a change from the Redskins to an option such as the Redtails will build momentum for switching other generic nicknames.  This debate is raging in Washington D.C. where compromise has often been foreign concept since the days of Henry Clay.  While the “Great Compromiser” could not circumvent the problems of his era, Redskins owner Dan Snyder has an opportunity to end the increasingly tense name debate.