Washington Redskins fans are fed up at what’s been years of misfortunes and mismanagement of the once proud and lovable franchise. As #FireBruceAllen has swept through social media and various petitions to get the team president Bruce Allen fired have reached into the thousands, frustrated fans chose not to show up to FedEx Field during the team’s season finale.
Instead, fans of the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles packed the Redskins’ home stadium. The Eagles needed a win and a loss by Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings to reach the playoffs, and thanks to the abandonment of Redskins’ fans, Sunday turned into an Eagles’ home game.
With what was described as about 80 percent of Eagles fans in the stadium, the Redskins were booed as they ran onto the field.
Every penalty and play in favor of the Eagles met with cheers.
The Redskins’ season has turned sour in the second half. They lost starting quarterback Alex Smith to a horrific leg injury. Injuries piled up and ruined the season on the field with 24 players currently on injured reserve.
Meanwhile, the Redskins waived popular Kapri Bibbs. He was claimed by the Green Bay Packers as reports suggest the Redskins were hoping to re-sign him to their practice squad. They also allowed a popular hidden gem wide receiver Simmie Cobbs Jr. to be signed off their practice squad by the New Orleans Saints, despite the struggles with play and injuries at wide receiver.
However, the apex of fans ire came within the past week. Safety DJ Swearinger was waived on Christmas Eve after he criticized defensive coordinator Greg Manusky following last week’s loss against Tennessee. Manusky isn’t well-liked by fans, and losing the best defensive player on the team for post-game comments frustrated even the most faithful.
Then, four team executives were ousted this week in what is being described as a power struggle with Allen. At the height of the discord was tension over the team claiming linebacker Reuben Foster, who was waived by the San Francisco 49ers last month after being arrested for domestic violence — his second in the past year.
Under Allen, who joined the Redskins in 2009, Washington has one 10-win season (2012) and zero postseason wins. Despite the shortcomings, Allen has seemingly the ear of owner Dan Snyder. Through the years, he has won multiple power struggles that have included over then-general manager Scot McCloughan and former head coach Mike Shanahan.
Just ahead of Sunday’s game, an NFL Network report suggested head coach Jay Gruden and Allen are likely to remain with the Redskins going into next season. Gruden has been just as unpopular as Allen. Without changes, Sunday’s scenery may not be just an aberration.
By the way, the Redskins were shut out 24-0, ending their season on another miserable note. This time in front of a FedEx Field packed with Eagles fans.
