Washington Commanders shouldn't let Trump bully them in nickname battle

USA Today

2 days ago

It's time to put it in all-caps.
WE ARE THE COMMANDERS.
Go ahead, Josh Harris. C'mon, Roger Goodell. With a new NFL season kicking off as training camps open – and even more notably, with the Commander-in-Chief wrapping his roll back the clock nonsense with a threat to thwart efforts to build a new stadium for Washington's cherished football team – it's a perfect time to double down on values.
So, Donald Trump wants the NFL franchise to reinstate the racial slur as its name?
Somebody – and especially Harris, the franchise's owner, and Goodell, the league's commissioner – needs to set the record straight. Publicly. Again. Just because.
More: DC locals on Trump's attempt to force Commanders' name change: Stay in your 'own lane'
If you're proud to be called the Washington Commanders and dedicated to moving forward with the name that was instituted in 2022, just say so.
Instead, as of Monday afternoon, the NFL and Commanders have given us crickets.
What a shame.
When contacted on Monday by USA TODAY Sports, the Commanders had no comment or statement regarding the remarks Trump posted on social media. The NFL did not respond to a request for a response.
Trump also suggested that the Cleveland Guardians go back to their former name and quite nobly, the team had a quick response and reiterated how excited it is to continue building its brand as the Guardians. No confusion there.
By contrast, the Commanders (and the NFL) have dropped the ball by hiding in silence.
Sure, the issue has played out over decades and Harris, who purchased the franchise from Dan Snyder in 2023 for a record price of $6.05 billion, has repeatedly stated that the old name – the 'R-word' – isn't coming back.
And no, every time an individual or group demands that they revert back, there's no need to respond.
This, however, is a different circumstance that begs for a statement from a franchise that has reinvigorated its fan base with the promise of quality football on top of a new generation of leadership. The don't-dignify-the-insult-with-a-response option doesn't cut it here, given the grandstand that reignited the topic.
Never mind that it's highly questionable, if not doubtful, that Trump could block efforts by the team and D.C. City Council to seal the deal for the proposed $4 billion stadium on the grounds of RFK Stadium.
He declared, 'I may put a restriction on them if they don't change the name back.'
Perception: You've been punked by the playground bully.
Given the journey of the Commanders and the NFL to change from the previous name and previous ownership regime to restore the value of a signature franchise, there's something to be said for standing their ground on principle.
In other words, letting it slide looks rather weak.
More: Commanders, Guardians name changes were years in the making: Timeline of key events
The team deserves for the preseason buzz to focus on expectations attached to the second NFL season with phenomenal quarterback Jayden Daniels, not on whether Trump will try to muck up a deal for a new stadium based on an issue that has come and gone.
Oh, the stench of politics. The Commanders and the NFL are better off with Trump in their corner, with the league's tentpole draft coming to D.C. in 2027 fueling momentum for a new stadium that projects for a 2030 completion.
By not responding publicly to Trump on the name-change issue, though, the Commanders and NFL have seemingly chosen to try not ticking off the bully who has chosen to scream in your face. Sad.
Then again, this line-in-the-sand stuff from Trump was destined to happen at some point for the NFL. During his last term, Trump disparaged the league – including its owners and players – over the national anthem protests. His venom appealed to his base, predictably, yet also forced the NFL to react.
This doesn't compare to the anthem protests, but some of the same racial insensitivity exists. And it's no surprise that in targeting the NFL again, Trump is stooping so low to dangle the bait.
Which is exactly why, as a matter of principle. the Commanders and the NFL need to double down on their convictions.
Follow Jarrett Bell on social media: On X: @JarrettBell
On Bluesky: jarrettbell.bsky.social