The Redskins logo was and still is considered by many as racist. That same logo may be the key to the Washington Commanders returning to the District of Columbia.
The Washington Post reported on Sunday the Commanders held a private ceremony for 22 family members of Walter “Blackie” Wetzel. Wetzel helped design the profile of an Indian warrior that became the cornerstone of the franchise that served as the team’s primary Redskins logo from 1972 to 2020.
The Redskins Logo, Memorialized at NW Stadium
At Sunday’s ceremony with the family a plaque was unveiled that reads, “Worn by Super Bowl teams and fans across the globe, this iconic logo designed by Walter “Blackie Wetzel” represented our organization for nearly half a century. A member of the Blackfeet Nation, Wetzel was a fervent advocate for indigenous communities, serving in roles as Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribe, and President of the National Congress Of American Indians during his life.”
The plaque also states, “After a 1971 meeting with the team about the decades old “R” logo, Wetzel designed this logo to symbolize and pay tribute to Indigenous populations and to honor the many values embodied by this country’s first peoples including strength, pride, courage, and service.”
Not only is there the connection of the artist who designed the Redskins logo, but there’s the influence and inspiration of Blackfeet Chief John Two Guns White Calf. His face used to model the logo. His family said there was no warning, no notification of the logo being retired. Thomas White Calf, who lives on a Blackfeet reservation in Montana, told Fox News his family was never consulted and never supported the removal of Two Guns White Calf’s image.
Redskins Logo Cannot Come back, But Can The Commanders Get Back To DC?
When the Redskins logo and name was retired, many thought it was gone forever. In fact, it is according to team owner Josh Harris. “We’ve been very clear. For obvious reasons, the old name can’t come back, ” he told media in August before the season began. “But right now we’re focused on things that unify the team around our football team and unify the city around our football team. The first objective is we got to start winning football games.”
That, they are working to do. Currently the Commanders are 1-1, sitting atop the NFC East. When it comes to getting back to D.C., it’s really down to the stroke of a pen from someone who doesn’t even live in the area.
According to a Washington Post report, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act cleared the House with bipartisan support in February, but it needs to pass the Senate for D.C. to be able to develop the area. It’s a federally owned plot that many feel would be the site for a future home for the Commanders. The person believed to be stalling the progress, said The Post, is Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) Before the lease is renewed and extended for 99 years, he wants the Blackfeet Tribe to get the respect they deserve.
Gaines told Grant & Danny of 106 The Fan earlier this year the Blackfeet Tribe’s Legacy needs to be honored before any talk of revitalization begins. “We have something here, a chance and an opportunity, to do something historic for Indian country in Montana and across our great country as well as the fan base in Washington and for the Washington Commanders… My goal is for the Washington Commanders to honor the pride, the history, the heritage of the Blackfeet Tribe, who are my constituents.”
Sunday’s ceremony, for the Commanders, was apparently the first steps in giving that honor and recognition. What that does for the politics of a return to D.C. is yet to be seen.
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