Washington Commanders should have picked the Red Hogs name
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Washington Redskins fan Hogettes stand in line to watch Russ Grim (Hall of Fame offensive lineman) accept his ring at halftime of Redskins/Colts’ game at FedEx Field in Landover on October 17, 2010.
Getty Images| The Washington Post | Getty Images
Doug Williams seemed a little surprised. His stalling made it seem as though he was disapproving of the new Washington Football Team name.
Washington Commandos.
National Football League Franchise officially revealedIts long-awaited secret was revealed with a rebranding on Wednesday that buried the Washington Football Team name on NBC’s “TODAY” show. Since July 2020, when it lost its original name (long considered racist against Native Americans), the company had been using that moniker.
Williams was an executive on the team and became the first Black player to win the Super Bowl. Wright was seated beside Williams during the announcement. first Black team president in the NFL.
Williams declared, “We’re the Commanders!”
Wright said, “It allows us to link the rich history of this franchise and its championship legacy to new traditions for the future.”
The NFL team, which is worth more than $4 billion, still has the same problems — there are new sexual harassment allegations surrounding the owner, Dan Snyder, accusations Snyder has denied.
Now the brand is complete. It missed an opportunity to revisit a part of its history with the name change. Here’s why.
They are my favorite hogs
While Commanders may not be the most apt name for the team, it’s certainly not unique.
The Alliance of American Football, a short-lived football association, owned it San Antonio CommandersBefore the 2019 league collapse, there was a franchise. It’s possible that the name was taken after bankruptcy filings for the football properties. Over $40 million was owed to the league, with $7 million being a part of it. MGMAccording to,, a founding investor of AFF was. The Wall Street Journal.
Wright took over as president in August 2020 and solicited support for a new title. Wright wrote that the Red Wolves, a fan favourite, was not able to be the new franchise due to trademarks owned by other teams. Another rumored name was Presidents.
Morning Consult, a research company found that the name Defenders was most favorably named. Next came the Admirals and Commanders.
However, as I was getting closer to the reveal of his name, I began to wonder what true fans would think. Ron Burke was a Washington sports fan for many years. Ron told me about his Hogs.
Named the Hogs, it is a reference to 1980s offensive linemen like Joe Jacoby, Jeff Bostic and Russ Grimm. Joe Bugel, longtime assistant and the originator of “Hogs”, coached the group. Washington appeared in three Super Bowls between 1982 and 1987 thanks to the unit.
Grimm stated, “The name existed but it did not take off until I started winning.” said in a video explaining the Hogs’ origins. “The fans — they made it as big as it’s turned out to be,” added Grimm, who was known as “Porky.”
They were fun, and they had character. Hogs flourished with the annual “5 O’clock Club” meetings, which began in 1982 after practice. Jacoby claims that the Hogs created T-shirts for them to wear every Thursday, or they were subject to a $5 penalty. The money raised was used to fund the annual Hogs party.
The “Hogettes”, led by Michael Torbert, wore white hats at the Super Bowl pregame rally, outside the RFK Stadium Washington, DC, January 21st 1984.
Mark Reinstein | Corbis Historical | Getty Images
Don Warren, a former Washington Lineman, joked that “you had to look ugly and be fat to get in the 5 o’clock club.”
The name Hogs was the perfect fit after researching them. I also thought it would be a fantastic business name. I was already familiar with merchandise and the Hog noses. The fans would likely dress up once again as the “Hogettes.”Ron also had suggestions for how the franchise might honor the Hogs in the initial seasons. This would help to reintroduce history and rebuild the brand.
Red Hogs. Ron agreed. My CNBC colleague, Dominic Chu, even chimed in on Twitter to approve of “Warthogs” — but that was after the team went with the Commanders.
Williams stated, “That’s who we are.” It’s time to keep moving forward. It’s a good name. It is a nice sound. Washington Commanders
Team co-owners Dan Snyder (left) and Tanya Snyder (right) pose with new uniforms for a photograph during the official announcement that the Washington Football Team will be renamed to Washington Commanders at FedExField. This was in Landover Maryland.
Rob Carr | Getty Images
A secret no more
After a drone video captured the Commanders’ name in the home stadium of FedEx Field, it was made public on Wednesday.
Wright said during the unveiling that “It has the weight, meaning and significance befitting a franchise of 90 years.” We believe it represents the core values of the franchise, which are service and leadership. It’s something our fans loved. [District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia area].
Wright said, “It is also something that, importantly, we could own, and grow for at least the next 90 year.”
Ron, Dominic, and I may be in the minority when it comes to any Hogs version. However, it sounded great.
Fanatics, an online e-commerce site, stated that Commanders had been the most-sold team through its platform. Additionally, four products were added to the top five most-sold: two Commanders Jerseys, a Team Hoodie, and a Long Sleeve T-shirt.
Because Tom Brady, the NFL quarterback, retired just one day before Commanders’ names were published on the internet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey was the fifth most loved item.
What about the Morning Consult poll? It showed that the Red Hogs’ name was one of the most popular. According to 54%, the name is unfavorable. Armada, Presidents, and others were both at the bottom.
Asked his response to fans who disapprove of the Commanders name, Williams responded: “What I would say to those people is — with guys like Jonathan [Allen]They’ll love this football team and the Commanders.”
The Red Hogs are still my favorite.
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