Native American group rips NFL over Commanders name change, calls it 'degrading' and 'insensitive'

A Native American group released a statement criticizing the NFL over the Washington Commanders name change. The Native American Guardian’s Association called the change “degrading” and “insensitive” in a lengthy statement Wednesday.

Washington changed its name to the Commanders in 2022 after briefly being known as the Washington Football Team. The franchise was formerly known as the “Redskins” from its relocation to Washington, D.C. in 1937 until 2019 when it took on the Football Team moniker.

However, the Native American Guardian’s Association said it supported the original mascot – whichwas in the image of Chief Two Guns Whitecalf – before the change. Additionally, it argued “Commanders” played a role in “decimating the once-formidable native nations of this continent.”

“We ‘Guardians’ and the other 90% of WAPO surveyed Natives who supported NFL’s use of Redskins and image of Chief Two Guns Whitecalf for 87 years continue to be ignored by today’s woke/racist decision makers at the D.C.-based franchise which continues to insist on utilizing THE most DEGRADING and INSENSITIVE namesake in any sports league – the Commanders,” the release stated.

“Had the NFL done any type of focus group with Natives, they would know that their team name is considered indefensible as it was a series of Commanders – many from D.C. – who decimated the once-formidable native nations of this continent.”

The group cited Commanders Lord Jeffrey Amherst, General George E. Custer and General Patrick Connor as examples to make its point. All three, the NAGA said, played roles in attempting to wipe out Native American people.

“Each of these ‘Commanders’ and 100s more like them, were responsible for our near-total cultural eradication,” the release said. “Thus, the continued use of the rushed, non-focused group, woke-culture provided name to replace the venerable redskin warrior Chief Two Guns Whitecalf, stands as a excruciating reminder of the generational horror unleashed on our people by ‘Commanders from D.C.

“NAGA will continue to be THE BECON (sic) OF HOPE to the vast majority of both card-carrying Native Americans and the more than 50% of all Americans who carry some level of native DNA – that’s more than 160 million of us. We will continue to fight the slanderous misinformation campaign of the NFL’s Commanders and their dishonest political/media cabal who continue to misrepresent what a Redskin is and was.”

The Washington Commanders came under new ownership last year after Dan Snyder sold the franchise to a group led by Josh Harris and Magic Johnson. Washington put together an impressive 2024 season, led by No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels, en route to an NFC Championship appearance.