Jason Wright Taking His Time On Washington’s New Name
Former running back Jason Wright joined the Washington Football Team at a tumultuous time in franchise history.
The first black NFL president, as well as the youngest ever at 38 had a monumental job on his hands.
Washington is trying to distance itself from the racist overtones of the past. Additionally, owner Dan Snyder was subject to sexual harassment allegations at the time of Wright’s appointment.
Washington elected to keep its temporary name for the entirety of last season before deciding on a permanent one. A new name will not be in place until 2022. In that time, Jason Wright has been doing his homework.
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According to Jason Wright, the franchise is going to completely distance itself from any Native American imagery. That includes rejecting the fan-favourite possible new name of the ‘Warriors’.
Washington engaged with Native American leaders in order to determine what its new name should not be.
“Feedback from across communities we engaged clearly revealed deep-seated discomfort around Warriors, with the clear acknowledgment that it too closely aligns with Native American themes,†he said.Â
“Such an embrace of potentially Native-adjacent iconography and imagery would not represent a clear departure that many communities have so forcefully advocated for us to embrace, and that frankly, we set out to do when we started this process a year ago.”
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“We have 89 years of history in this league and failing to acknowledge our past use of Native imagery in the consideration of the new name wouldn’t be mindful of the individuals and communities that were hurt by the previous name. We’ve made significant changes in our organization and our culture, and our new name must reflect these changes. To that end, we will choose an identity that unequivocally departs from any use of or approximate linkage to Native American imagery,” Wright said.
