# Change the name of the Washington Redskins **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 30, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674 "2013-05-30T01:47:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/101 "2013-05-31T21:31:17Z")
If red is an unpopular color, how about:[ul][_]Washington Blackskins[_]Washington Yellowskins[_]Washington Greenskins[_]Washington Blueskins[_]Washington Pinkskins[_]Washington Paleskins[_]Washington Puceskins[_]Washington Stripeskins[_]Washington Plaidskins[_]Washington Danskins[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/102 "2013-05-31T22:09:05Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > The Washington Leeches. Their mascot can be a congressman. I _ **like** _ that one! After all, that school in California has the banana slug as a mascot. The only problem would be how to make a Congresscritter look agressive or intimidating. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/103 "2013-06-01T00:13:37Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > As someone from Potomac, I have trouble reconciling the idea of big, professional athletes with the upper class snobs and spoiled little princessess they’ve spawned that are native to Potomac, MD. I’m sure you already know this but just for the benefit of those who don’t the Potomac (Patawomek) Indians were (are) the tribe native to this region. > **[Patawomeck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patawomeck)** > > The Patawomeck are a Native American tribe based in Stafford County, Virginia, along the Potomac River. Patawomeck is another spelling of Potomac. > The Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia is a state-recognized tribe in Virginia that identifies as descendants of the Patawomeck. > The Patawomeck spoke an Eastern Algonquian language. The Patawomeck were one of 32 Algonquian-speaking peoples in the Tidewater area of present-day Virginia. Their language is now extinct. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/104 "2013-06-01T00:50:56Z")
The Scarlets ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/105 "2013-06-01T02:11:10Z")
The Washington Washing Machines. When they get their _Washa Washa Washa Washa_ chant going, opposing teams will cower. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/106 "2013-06-01T02:17:25Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > The only problem would be how to make a Congresscritter look agressive or intimidating. Just have him wave a subpoena. ---
**Author:** ![littlespeedysuperbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@littlespeedysuperbike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/littlespeedysuperbike)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/107 "2013-06-01T03:47:26Z")
They should be the Washington Logrollers, of course! > **[Logrolling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logrolling)** > > Logrolling is the trading of favors, or quid pro quo, such as vote trading by legislative members to obtain passage of actions of interest to each legislative member. In organizational analysis, it refers to a practice in which different organizations promote each other's agendas, each in the expectation that the other will reciprocate. In an academic context, the Nuttall Encyclopedia describes logrolling as "mutual praise by authors of each other's work". Where intricate tactics or strategy Lo... ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/108 "2013-06-01T03:57:39Z")
How about the Washington Lincolns? ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/109 "2013-06-01T05:31:59Z")
Fordham Baldies. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/110 "2013-06-01T15:28:44Z")
How about the just calling them “The Washingtons” and George Washington can be their mascot, with his very famous silhouette on the helmets. I guess technically this would make them The Washington Washingtons… but anyhow. Of course on the field they’ll have to have an official mascot, a guy in period dress with a powdered wig, quoting our great nation’s founder. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/111 "2013-06-01T15:57:10Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > How about the just calling them “The Washingtons” and George Washington can be their mascot, with his very famous silhouette on the helmets. I guess technically this would make them The Washington Washingtons… but anyhow. Of course on the field they’ll have to have an official mascot, a guy in period dress with a powdered wig, quoting our great nation’s founder. 😃 I love this. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/112 "2013-06-01T16:08:57Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > How about the just calling them “The Washingtons” and George Washington can be their mascot, with his very famous silhouette on the helmets. I guess technically this would make them The Washington Washingtons… but anyhow. Of course on the field they’ll have to have an official mascot, a guy in period dress with a powdered wig, quoting our great nation’s founder. 😃 Or he could chop down a cherry tree at halftime. Who cares if it’s a legend. That and the coin toss thing (with a frisbee!) are good visuals. And cheerleaders in period inspired outfits. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/113 "2013-06-01T17:02:53Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > How about the just calling them “The Washingtons” and George Washington can be their mascot, with his very famous silhouette on the helmets. I guess technically this would make them The Washington Washingtons… but anyhow. Of course on the field they’ll have to have an official mascot, a guy in period dress with a powdered wig, quoting our great nation’s founder. 😃 Avoid the redundancy by calling them the Washington Georges. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/114 "2013-06-01T17:09:13Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Or he could chop down a cherry tree at halftime. Who cares if it’s a legend. That and the coin toss thing (with a frisbee!) are good visuals. > > And cheerleaders in period inspired outfits. 🆒 Layers and layers of petticoats! And bonnets! Hot, sexy bonnets! \ ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/115 "2013-06-01T17:16:45Z")
The team would have to find a way to buy out all that IP from The George Washington University, who uses [pretty much all of that stuff](http://www.gwu.edu/spirit-groups) already. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/116 "2013-06-01T17:34:41Z")
How about the Washington Reds? (Without keeping the same mascot, of course!) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/117 "2013-06-01T17:48:56Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The team would have to find a way to buy out all that IP from The George Washington University, who uses [pretty much all of that stuff](http://www.gwu.edu/spirit-groups) already. 😉 Arguably George Washington University wouldn’t be able to extend its trademark rights to professional football. And the use of images and the name of Geo. Washington are so ubiquitous that G.W.U.'s trademarks would likely be very weak. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/118 "2013-06-01T19:42:22Z")
[A good summary of the team’s racist history](http://www.thenation.com/article/158409/history-lesson-redskins-owner#), including the selection of the name. The line “Fight for old DC” in “Hail to the Redskins” was once “Fight for old Dixie”, btw - they consciously marketed to the segregationist white Southern market, as the then-only NFL team south of the Mason-Dixon Line. So how about the Washington Cracker-Ass Crackers? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/119 "2013-06-02T10:42:17Z")
The Washington [CTEs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopathy). They really ought to rename the entire NFL the CTE League, but this way the Redskins will be ahead of the curve. > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > [A good summary of the team’s racist history](http://www.thenation.com/article/158409/history-lesson-redskins-owner#), including the selection of the name. I read the linked piece. While it says a great deal about the team’s racist history with respect to blacks, it doesn’t say one thing about the selection of the team name, other than that longtime Redskins owner George Marshall was responsible. Last time I’d checked, nobody had come up with any paper trail or testimony explaining why they were named the Boston Redskins, so I was hoping something new on that score had come to light. Apparently not. > [@Hoss\_N.Feffa](#): > > I’m thinking a [cowardly cowboy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxUo781x34s) (The Ballad of Irving by Frank Gallop). I can’t believe someone else remembers that song. The other thing “Washington Irvings” made me think of was _Catch-22_, where Yossarian signs that name (and Irving Washington) to letters he’s censoring while in the hospital. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2013, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674/120 "2013-06-03T00:03:04Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Related question: everything I’ve heard or read about Dan Snyder suggests that he’s a huge jackhole. Is this accurate? I’ve never met him, but I have heard [If You Own the Washington Redskins, You’re a Cock](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uUiCL3QzpU). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins/659674.md?page=7)