Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders, formerly known as the Redskins, play in the National Football League’s (NFL) National Football Conference (NFC) East division, based in the Washington D.C. area. Originally based in Boston and known as the Boston Braves, they were formed in 1932. They moved to Washington in 1937 becoming the Washington Redskins. In 2020, the team changed its name to the Washington Football Team as many found the Redskins title offensive and, in 2022, the name was changed to the Washington Commanders. The new name reflects the military heritage of Washington D.C.

The team have won 5 NFL Championships, 14 divisional titles and six conference championships and are one of the most popular franchises in the NFL. They play their home games at the Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

Fast Facts

• Full Name: Washington Commanders
• Conference: National Football Conference
• Division: East
• Location: Virginia
• Stadium Name: Northwest Stadium
• Year Established: 1932
• Owner: Josh Harris
• Head Coach: Dan Quinn
• Manager: Adam Peters
• Nickname: The Skins
• Mascot: None
• Team Colours: Burgundy, gold, white

History

The history of the team begins in 1932 when they were originally founded as the Boston Braves and based in Massachusetts and owned by George Preston Marshall, a prominent American businessman. 1933 saw them change their name to the Boston Redskins before relocating to Washington in 1937. This was also the year that the team drafted one of their most famous players ever, Sammy Baugh, quarterback. Baugh led the team to a championship in his first season and, over the course of his 16-year career, set numerous NFL records. Baugh led the team to a second NFL championship in 1942 when they defeated the Chicago Bears, making up for their 73-0 defeat in the championship game two years earlier.

Thanks to owner, George Preston Marshall, the team were one of the more wealthy NFL franchises and they were pioneers in the use of sports broadcast media. 1944 saw them launch a radio network to broadcast games throughout the southern half of the USA and by 1950, all of the games were televised. This early use of the media has resulted in the team being one of the best-supported NFL franchises with some of the most passionate fans. Since 1967, they have sold out every season.

However, despite the period of 1946-1970 seeing the growth of the team as a media power, it unfortunately saw them in their least successful period in terms of results. Between these years, the team posted just four winning seasons and never made the playoffs. This was despite having a team that was capable of so much more with players, such as quarterback, Sonny Jurgensen, and Bobby Mitchell, the wide receiver, being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. 1971 saw a return to winning ways under new coach, George Allan, who led them to the playoffs. 1972 was even better and saw the team win their first ever NFC championship only to be defeated by the Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl. The rest of the 1970s saw the team make the occasional appearance in the playoffs but they never tasted the early success they had under Alan’s leadership.

1981 saw big changes for the franchise. Joe Gibbs came in as head coach and he would go on to become the most successful Redskins coach in history, winning more games than any other coach in their history. Between 1981 and 1993 under Gibbs, the Redskins made the playoffs eight times, won four NFC championships and won three Super Bowls in 1982 (XVII), 1987 (XXII) and 1991 (XXVI). Since Gibbs left in 1993, the Redskins have failed to recapture the form they displayed during this period winning three division championships in 1999, 2012 and 2015 and making the occasional playoff appearance.

More action has actually been seen off field with much debate about the former Redskins name, which was a racial slur and caused offence to many. In 2014, the Patent Office cancelled the team’s trademark of the name citing it was disparaging to Native Americans. While the franchise vowed to never change its name despite the many protests, the team ended up changing the name to the Washington Football Team in 2020, and in 2022, settled on the Commanders, which pays tribute to D.C.’s military history.

Super Bowl Appearances

1992 Super Bowl XXVI Washington Redskins 37 – Buffalo Bills 24

Super Bowl XXVI was played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 26, 1992. The Redskins dominated the first three periods of the game and despite a late fightback by the Buffalo Bills, the Redskins ran out 37-24 winners. Watched by over 60,000 in the stadium the event was also watched by over 79 million TV viewers who also saw a halftime show featuring Gloria Estefan.

1988 Super Bowl XXII Washington Redskins – Denver Broncos 10

Super Bowl XXII saw the Washington Redskins defeat the Denver Broncos by 42-10 to win their second ever Super Bowl. It was played at the Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California, the first ever Super Bowl to be played in the city. The Broncos went 10-0 up in the first quarter but did not post a score after that with the Redskins scoring 42 unanswered points during the next three periods. Doug Williams, the Redskins’ quarterback was named as the Most Valuable Player and was the first ever African American starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl.

1984 Super Bowl XVIII Washington Redskins 9 – Los Angeles Raiders 38

Played on January 22, 1984 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Despite being pre-match favourites, the Redskins were soundly beaten by the then LA Raiders and led to the game to be known as ‘Black Sunday’. The game was watched by over 70,000 people in the stadium and over 77 million TV viewers who saw the famous “1984” TV commercial that introduced the world to the Apple Macintosh computer.

1983 Super Bowl XVII Miami Dolphins 17 – Washington Redskins 27

Super Bowl XVII was played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on January 30, 1983. Going into the game as underdogs, it saw the Redskins defeat the Dolphins by 27-17. Over 81 million people saw the game on TV and were treated to a star performance by the Redskins running back John Riggins who was named the Most Valuable Player recording more total yards than the entire Miami Dolphins team.

1973 Super Bowl VII Miami Dolphins 14 – Washington Redskins 7

Super Bowl VII was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California and was watched by over 90,000 spectators and over 53 million TV viewers. Making their first ever Super Bowl appearance, the Redskins were dominated by the Miami Dolphins in what was to become the lowest scoring Super Bowl in history.

Stadium

The Washington Commanders play their home games at the Northwest Field, formerly known as the FedExField. Located in Landover, Maryland, it was commissioned in 1994 and opened in 1997 and originally named the Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in honour of the recently deceased owner of the team. The naming rights to the stadium were sold in 1999 for an average of $7.6 million per year.

The stadium is able to host 62,000 and has hosted a number of other events, such as soccer games featuring Manchester United, Chelsea, and Barcelona, as well as hosting the annual Prince George’s Classic college football game.

Famous Players

Darrell Green (1983-2002)

The longest serving player of all time, Green also has the franchise record for the most interceptions. Named a Pro Bowler seven times he was also named in the NFL’s all-decade team in the 1990s. One of the most popular and best players ever, he is also one of the NFL’s best ever cornerbacks.

Sammy Baugh (1937-1952)

Sammy Baugh was not just one of the best quarterbacks ever to star for the franchise, he is one of the best to play in the NFL. Dynamic and innovative, such was his impact on the Redskins and the wider NFL, his team number was retired.

John Riggins (1976-1985)

John Riggins spent nine years with the Redskins and he became one of the most popular players ever to play for the franchise thanks to his on-field performances and his big personality. During his time with the team he made 11,352 yards and 104 touchdowns.

Chris Hanburger (1965-1978)

During his 14 seasons with the Redskins, Hanburger was named in nine Pro-Bowls and four All-Pro first team selections. Arguably the best linebacker ever to play for the Redskins, he also intercepted 19 passes during his career.

Did You Know?

• The Washington Redskins were originally known as the Boston Braves, then the Boston Redskins before eventually moving to Washington in 1937. They then became the Washington Football Team in 2020 due to pressure to change their name, and following that in 2022, became the Washington Commanders.
• The Redskins never held a trademark for their name. In 2014, the Patent Office cancelled the team’s trademark of the name saying it was disparaging to Native Americans.
• Celebrity fans of the Washington Commanders include Dale Earnhardt Jr, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise, and Channing Tatum.
• During the 1980s, only the San Francisco 49ers had a better win/loss record than the Redskins.