The Washington Commanders drafted Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson in Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft. Dotson spoke to the Washington sports media, announcing he will wear the jersey No. 1 in a Commanders uniform.
Dotson wore the No. 5 at Penn State. But the No. 1 became available for Washington following the free agency departure of DeAndre Carter. Now was a perfect opportunity for a jersey number switch.
He then gave n amazing explnation for his choice of No. 1.
βIβm the first Commanders pick ever so itβs pretty cool to have that number on my back,” Dotson said per JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington.
Washington officially changed its moniker to Commanders in February. They were known as the Redskins from 1937 until June 2020 when the team decided to drop the team name that was deemed disparaging and racially incentive to Native Americans.
The team used the temporary name of the Washington Football Team during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. It’s still the franchise and the team’s record have not change. However, Dotson has a point about being the first draft pick under the name Commanders.
Embracing the name change and having the distinction as the Commanders “first” draft pick will make Dotson endearing to Commanders fans..