NFL
Washington Redskins Have 2 People Blocking Path to Redtails Name Change
Stephen Sheehan began his sportswriting career as a high school student covering sports for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel through a student outreach program. He wrote for Bleacher Report and Fan Rag Sports and worked full-time for Sports7 in 2020 and 2021. Stephen specializes in covering the NFL, particularly the New England Patriots. Stephen is inspired by the stories sports can tell, from money to tragedies to breaking news; there are so many different ways to cover the industry. He monitors Twitter and various websites every day to find stories to tell in unique ways. Stephen was a 2008 Culpepper Journalism Foundation Fellowship winner, received a bachelor's degree in journalism in 2013 and a master's in sports management in 2015 from the University of Florida, and is an active rugby player and former rugby and football coach.
Get to know Stephen Sheehan betterUpdated14 Jul 2020
Dan Snyder finally will give his franchise a facelift. The Washington Redskins will officially cease to exist and be replaced by a new name. Of course, that occurred despite Snyder long insisting that this day would never come. While Dwayne Haskins and others have suggested rebranding the franchise as the Washington Redtails, two people stand in the way of turning that idea into reality.
Dan Snyder is finally making a change in Washington
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As one of the NFL's most vilified owners, Dan Snyder will never win a popularity contest. Over the years, he has earned plenty of warranted criticism for his steadfast refusal to change the team's name. Plus, when you sue one of your own fans, you certainly won't have many people in your corner.
Despite maintaining that he would never get rid of the Redskins, Snyder finally gave in. Of course, he had plenty of financial incentive to do so after FedEx threatened to pull its money.
With the name-change process in the works, many people have speculated about what the team's new mascot could be. Haskins has already gotten on board the Redtails train. However, the path to a Redtails rebrand includes a legal stumbling block thanks to two people.
Redskins have two people blocking the path to Redtails rebrand
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Almost immediately, fans and media members alike suggested that the Redskins rebrand as the Redtails. On the surface, the name makes a ton of sense. After all, rather than have a name that offends people, this name would actually serve as a way to honor the Tuskegee Airmen.
However, according to Darren Heitner of Above the Law, a major roadblock could potentially stand in the way of a Redtails rebrand.
“On February 22, Deron Hogans and Thaniel Van Amerongen, employees at Deloitte and residents of Maryland and Virginia, respectively, jointly filed an application to register the “Washington Redtails” trademark in association with the licensing of intellectual property rights. It was published for opposition on June 23, which is typically one of the last steps in the process prior to receipt of a registration certificate.
While Hogans and Van Amerongen filed the trademark application, that doesn't mean they have locked up the Redtails name. According to Heitner, the Deloitte duo will have to convert their intent-to-use filing to an actual use filing. This would entail submitting advertising and marketing materials to prove how the Washington Redtails trademark will be utilized commercially.
Ultimately, PRO-FOOTBALL, Inc., which owns the Washington Redskins trademark registrations, may have to pay a pretty price to acquire the name if that's the route the Washington NFL franchise wants to take.
Will Washington get back to winning with a new name?
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No matter if the Redskins become the Redtails, the Warriors, or something totally different, they have to improve on the field. Washington has made the playoffs just four times in Snyder's tenure. The team has cycled through a number of head coaches and quarterbacks with little success to show for it.
With Ron Rivera on board, Washington does have a no-nonsense, business-first leader in charge. In addition, the former Carolina Panthers coach brings playoff experience and an element of toughness to a team that has been downright soft in recent years.
Moreover, the Redskins have to be excited about adding Chase Young with the second overall pick. The former Ohio State star joins a deep front seven that includes former first-rounders Jonathan Allen, Da'Ron Payne, Montez Sweat, and Ryan Kerrigan.
That group has the potential to carry the team. Young and Sweat have elite athletic traits to wreak havoc off the edge. Allen and Payne have quietly developed into elite run-stoppers who should benefit from more single blocks this year.
Of course, the team will only go as far as Haskins takes them. The second-year pro did not impress as a rookie, but he gets a clean slate with a new coach. Can Haskins make a significant leap in year two?
For now, we will have to see if Haskins' idea of rebranding the team as the Washington Redtails comes true. As long as the on-field product remains the same, NFL fans will continue to scorn Dan Snyder for lackluster results.
