This is truly an “Emperor Has No Clothes” moment for professional sports, and I hope all sports fans will take this opportunity to pause and reflect on our priorities and the infatuation too many Americans have with sports stars and celebrities.
Let me begin with a confession: I’m a lifelong Washington Redskins fan.
Personally, I never considered the name racist and I certainly never considered myself a racist for cheering for them, but the times are changing.
Lest there be any misunderstanding or unfortunate reaction to this admission, let me add the following unequivocal statements:
- I deplore white supremacy and renounce racism in all forms.
- Our society should accord respect and honor to all people, regardless of race, creed, color, origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, and any other factor or consideration.
- A team’s brand should be sensitive to the feelings of those it purports to represent or honor.
Historically, the Washington Redskins are a team that has officially claimed to honor Native Americans. And in its defense, it has made some sincere efforts over the years to do so. Not only have they, for example, honored the Navajo code-talkers of World War II, but the very mascot on the team’s helmets (at least until this upcoming season) was designed by a Native American!
That said, the name and brand of the team has been a source of contention and frustration for many people for many years. And, while I hate “cancel culture” and have deep misgivings about “political correctness,” nevertheless…. as a Christian who believes in “Love your Neighbor,” I have to concede the following…
If a significant minority (and certainly a majority) of Native Americans and descendants of indigenous Americans are genuinely hurt or deeply offended by the team’s name or mascot, it should be changed.
And that is what the NFL franchise in Washington, DC has decided to do. This year, the Washington Redskins are officially retiring their controversial brand.
Of course, this raises the question: What do we call the team now?
After several weeks of considering their options, the team formerly known as the Washington Redskins has decided to go with (drum roll)…
The Washington Football Team
This is not a joke. Repeat. This is not a joke.
Well…actually, it kinda is. But it’s not meant to be a joke.
The team, formerly known as the Redskins, is now …. the Washington Football Team.
Yes… Ladies and Gentlemen…. the NFC East now consists of:
- The Philadelphia Eagles
- The Dallas Cowboys
- The New York Giants
- The Washington Football Team
And, yes, I suspect the rankings by season’s end will somewhat resemble the above list.
My personal opinion, for whatever that’s worth is that this is pathetic and ridiculous. I “get” that Dan Snyder and Company don’t want to rush the naming-and-branding process. They want to have a placeholder name for this upcoming season, and then roll out their new official re-brand in the following season. I get that. I do. But…
Come on.
At least pick an actual temporary, placeholder name for the upcoming season. Something like “the Hogs” (which has a tradition behind it) or “the Sharks” (in honor of the Nationals’ “Baby Shark” World Series run) or “Gold Stars” (to play off the Burgundy-and-Gold colors AND honor our military’s Gold Star families). Even “the Washingtonians” would be preferable.
Something. Anything.
This generic “nothing” of a name is sad.
As I’ve said on Facebook, the deeper we get into 2020, the more I feel like we’re living in a parody.
There is, however, an opportunity here for all of us to reflect. And in order to explain this opportunity, I had to take most of this post in laying out the introduction, so here comes the main point…
Stripped of any appealing brand, we see the NFL team in Washington for what it is.
As the old saying goes: The Emperor has no clothes.
In fact, not only is the NFL team in Washington – highly dysfunctional since Dan Snyder took over – laid bare. But, by clear implication, so is every other professional football team in the United States.
For that matter, so is every professional sports team in the country.
Sports is a business. A big business. And owners spend millions of dollars (at the professional level) to stake out an appealing brand that will unite the team’s constituency – and get them to root for that team and invest time, energy, and $$$ into that team.
The team’s brand is a big part of that. Go, Giants! Go, Cowboys! Go, Chiefs!
Who is going to cheer “Go, Football Team!”?
It’s going to be just about impossible for Snyder & Co. to get the fans of the team formerly known as the Redskins to rally around a generic “Washington Football Team” brand.
And yet… maybe this is a learning opportunity for all of us.
Think about it.
How much time, energy, and money do we put into professional sports franchises that, when you get right down to it, are smoke-and-mirrors PR brands designed to generate unity and enthusiasm?
Peel away the mascots, team names, and the millions of dollars spent by owners telling us to root for those names and mascots…. and what do you have?
I will tell you.
What we have is a Big Business. That business is the National Football League. And each franchise of that business — based in various cities around the world — has amassed wealth based on its market value. And that value is based on the allegiance and enthusiasm that we give it.
What’s more, the amount of attention that sports celebrities and, for that matter, celebrities in any field get is due to our choices.
I’m not knocking sports. There’s nothing wrong with sports in and of itself. What I’m knocking is when we get things out of balance. And I believe we’ve allowed professional sports to get out of balance in recent years.
And maybe the debacle taking place with the Washington NFL name brand will start to wake us up to the fact.
Whatever happens with the Washington Football Team, my life goes on. I still have responsibilities to which I must attend, and letting myself get too distracted by things that don’t really matter won’t help me achieve my goals or fulfill my responsibilities.
The same is true for you.
The same is true for our country.
Food for thought.
