History is usually messy, and honestly, the story of the Washington Redskins is basically the definition of complicated. You’ve got a team that define the NFL for decades, three Super Bowl rings, a marching band, and then—poof—the name is gone. Some fans still refuse to buy a Commanders jersey, while others think the change should’ve happened back in the eighties.
It’s weird.
If you grew up in the D.C. area, burgundy and gold wasn't just a color scheme. It was a lifestyle. But behind the highlights of John Riggins breaking tackles, there’s a timeline of a franchise that constantly found itself at the center of American cultural crosshairs.
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Where It All Started (And Why the Name Changed the First Time)
Most people think the team started in D.C., but that’s not true. George Preston Marshall founded the team in 1932 as the Boston Braves. They played at Braves Field, hence the name. A year later, they moved to Fenway Park.
Marshall didn’t want to be confused with the baseball team. He changed the name to the Redskins in 1933. There’s a lot of debate about why. Some say it was to honor coach William "Lone Star" Dietz, who claimed Native American heritage (though that’s been heavily disputed). Others say it was just a way to keep the Native American theme of the "Braves" while being distinct. Basically, it was a business move.
By 1937, they were in Washington. They won the NFL Championship that very first year. Talk about a grand entrance.
The Joe Gibbs Era: When the Washington Redskins Owned the NFL
If you want to talk about the "glory days," you're talking about Joe Gibbs. He is the only coach to win three Super Bowls with three different starting quarterbacks: Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, and Mark Rypien. That just doesn't happen.
The 1980s were a fever dream for fans. You had "The Hogs"—that massive, dominant offensive line featuring guys like Russ Grimm and Joe Jacoby. They were the engine. Then you had the 1982 season, which was shortened by a strike, but culminated in Super Bowl XVII. John Riggins’ 43-yard touchdown run against the Miami Dolphins is probably the most iconic moment in the history of the Washington Redskins.
Then came 1987. Doug Williams made history as the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, throwing four touchdowns in a single quarter against the Denver Broncos. It was a 42-10 blowout.
Finally, 1991. That team was arguably one of the greatest to ever step on a football field. They went 14-2. They dismantled the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. It was the peak.
The Controversy That Wouldn't Go Away
For decades, the name was a battleground. Native American groups had been protesting it since the sixties. But for a long time, ownership—specifically Dan Snyder, who bought the team in 1999—vowed he would "NEVER" change it. He was adamant.
Societal pressure shifted fast in 2020. Following the George Floyd protests, major sponsors like FedEx, Nike, and PepsiCo basically said, "Change it or we're out." FedEx actually threatened to remove their name from the stadium.
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When the money talks, people listen.
The team officially retired the name in July 2020. They spent two seasons as the "Washington Football Team"—which, let’s be real, felt like a placeholder in a video game—before finally becoming the Commanders in 2022.
Surprising Stats You Might Have Forgotten
The numbers this franchise put up are actually wild when you look at the all-time leaders.
- Passing: Joe Theismann leads with 25,206 yards.
- Rushing: The "Diesel" John Riggins has 7,472 yards and 79 touchdowns.
- Receiving: Art Monk was a machine, pulling in 888 catches for over 12,000 yards.
- Longevity: Darrell Green played 20 seasons. Twenty. He was still one of the fastest guys in the league in his forties.
Why It Still Matters
The legacy of the Washington Redskins is a split-screen experience. On one side, you have the cultural insensitivity that eventually became too much for the modern era to ignore. On the other, you have a deep-seated community identity that spans generations of families in the Mid-Atlantic.
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Acknowledging the history means looking at both the Super Bowl trophies and the reasons the name had to go. It’s about the "Hail to the Redskins" fight song that echoed through RFK Stadium and the shift toward a more inclusive "Commanders" era.
If you're looking to really understand the DNA of this team, start by watching the 1991 season highlights. It shows the franchise at its absolute technical best. Then, read the 2020 rebranding reports to see how the business of sports actually functions in a crisis.
For fans wanting to keep the history alive without the baggage, focus on the "Washington Legends" program. It’s the team's way of honoring guys like Darrell Green and Art Monk while moving forward into the Josh Harris ownership era. Whether you call them the "Skins" or the Commanders, the burgundy and gold isn't going anywhere.