Not everyone is on board with the new Washington Football Team’s name, the Washington Commanders. One of the many who doesn’t like the name is Washington legendary running back John Riggins.
Riggins was critical of the “Commanders” name so much so, he questioned other former Washington players who participated in the official reveal. He also went as far to say he doesn’t want his name on a Commanders jersey. In which the team responded by pulling his jerseys from their online store.
Riggins made his comments on his podcast “The John Riggins Show” with co-host Tod Castleberry.
“I feel completely disenfranchised,” Riggins said. “I can’t understand how anyone who once played under the old franchise name could possibly want to be a part of anything to do with the Washington Commanders.”
Riggins acknowledged he thought the original franchise name was an honor to Native Americans. But, once he finished playing football he became a proponent for a name change after sympathizing with Native Americans, who felt offended by the name. However, he simply just cannot get behind the choice of Commanders.
Additionally, Riggins said everyone has to make their own decision. But, he doesn’t understand how the former players, such as Dexter Manley, Joe Theismann, Doc Walker, Mark Moseley and others showed up to support the new name during last week’s reveal.
“I gotta say this, I kind of look at them and go, ‘what’s wrong with you?” Riggins said. “Don’t you get it? You were invited to your own funeral.”
The conversation with Castleberry shifted to the direction of the franchise. Riggins noted Washington was once a proud top-5 franchise prior to ownership shifting to Dan Snyder.
They noted the team’s home attendance woes. Washington was 31st of 32 NFL teams in average attendance per game during the 2021-22 season. They were dead last in fill-rate. Attendance is down for numerous reasons that include how bad Snyder has run the team.
Castlberry said right now all the team is selling is hope. Riggins then said he doesn’t want his name on a Commanders jersey.
“That makes me feel filthy,” Riggins said. “I feel dirty, I don’t want anything to do with it. Maybe I will change. Maybe I need a little more time, I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel right to me.”
In response, the team pulled Riggins jerseys from it’s online store.
It’s apparent Riggins has deeper issues with his former team than the choice of changing the name to Commanders. The name change opened the door for Riggins to air out his grievances with the team and more notably Snyder.
Unfortunately, the Super Bowl XVII MVP isn’t alone in his opinions. Fans have also grown tired of the franchise, its owner, the constant losing and PR nightmares that have turned the franchise into a laughingstock.
The Commanders re-branding is one thing. But, the Washington franchise has to do much more to bring back the interest and love of Riggins and so many other fans.
