Commanders fans make stance clear on bringing back "Redskins" name for Washington 

Washington Commanders has been one of the most polarizing team names in sports ever since it was first revealed in 2022. On one side, it is a safe, if bland choice for a franchise that has been hounded by scandal ever since the days of former owner Dan Snyder. On the other, it was only a hasty fallback option after local businessmen quietly took away the most popular suggestions like "Warriors" and "RedHawks."

Thus, the fanbase has been seeing the return of the "Redskins" as a viable, if unfathomable alternative, as shown by the results of a poll that former quarterback Robert Griffin III posted on his X, previously Twitter, account:

Washington NFL fans want the "Redskins" back

Their reactions can be seen below:

And more below:

"I would be good with the Washington Warriors but the Redskins name is historic to a lot of fans," one said.

"Redskins is the only correct answer," another said.

"Washington can change their name back to Redskins or forever be pathetic," another warned.

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Analyzing the other alternatives for Washington Commanders' name

Of course, not everyone agrees that the Washington Commanders should revert to being the Redskins.

As some have said, the old name had generated a substantial amount of backlash given its pejorative connotations, especially from Native Americans. However, some of even the staunchest detractors of "Redskins" can concur that "Commanders" lacks flair.

The most popular alternative has been "Warriors." Like "Commanders", it is a safe name, but one that can be attached to less offensive Native American imagery like spears.

Another popular suggestion is "(Red) Hogs", which brings back memories of the team's offensive line during their Super Bowl-winning era in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Commanders' current mascot, Major Tuddy, even takes the form of a pig in homage.

"Redtails," which derives from the African-American Tuskegee Airmen squadron that served in World War II, has also been floated as a suggestion. However, the survivors showed mixed feelings when asked by TIME about the topic in 2020.

While Harold Brown was in favor of the idea, his fellow lieutenant colonel James Harvey was not as positive:

“I am not sure they are worthy of the Red Tail name. They don’t win that many games plus a lot of the players have a… poor attitude. But, it is not my call. Just the way I feel at this point in time.”

Before adopting its current moniker, the franchise went by "Washington Football Team" in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.