Washington’s NFL team has now played as the Commanders for two NFL seasons.
But the powerful person in D.C. reiterated on Sunday that he would have just kept the old one.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, President Donald Trump was asked if he would like to see the Commanders change their name back to the moniker it had for decades between 1937 and 2019.
“You want me to make a controversial statement? I would,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t have changed the name. It just doesn’t have the same ring to me.”
Trump, who acknowledged in April that the former Washington name was “a little different” from other names that have been dumped liked the Cleveland Indians, added that on-field success could change things.
“You know winning can make everything sound good,” he said. “So if they win all of a sudden the Commanders sounds good, but I wouldn’t have changed the name.”
Washington, behind Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, advance to the NFC Championship last season.
Commanders owner Josh Harris has said the old name won’t be returning. Washington dropped the longstanding previous name, an outdated term for Native Americans that some viewed as racist, prior to the 2020 season.
Originally known as the Boston Braves, the team adopted its previous name after moving to Fenway Park in 1933. The team moved to D.C. in 1937 and won three Super Bowls under the name in 1983, 1988 and 1992.
According to the team, Commanders “brings to life the commitment to service and leadership that defines the community,” which of course includes the capital of the United States and the White House where Trump lives and works.
Conversation around a name change has heated up in recent months since the Commanders are expected to approach Trump to help get a new stadium built at the site of RFK Stadium.
Observers have suggested that the team may need to do some favors to get Trump in their corner and that may include a name change. However, there has been no evidence to suggest any such deal is in place.
The NFL draft is also being held in Washington D.C. in 2027. Trump joined team officials in making that announcement.
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