Let’s just say it – these look a lot like the old Redskins uniforms. That’s intentional, of course. The Washington Commanders unveiled their new “Super Bowl Era” alternate uniforms Tuesday morning to honor the franchise’s championship years in the 1980s and early 90s.
The new look features a classic white jersey with burgundy numbers outlined in gold, paired with burgundy pants and socks with gold and white stripes. The helmet has a gold facemask and white and gold stripes down the middle, echoing the iconic design fans remember from Washington’s Super Bowl victories in 1982, 1987, and 1991.
“These uniforms honor the most successful era of our franchise — one that reflects a culture of excellence and encompasses many historical moments and special memories amongst our fanbase,” said Commanders Team President Mark Clouse in a statement.
The Commanders will debut these alternates on November 2nd when they host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. They’ll wear them again on November 30th against the Denver Broncos and on Christmas Day when Dallas comes to town for a game streaming live on Netflix.
Name Debate Rekindled Amid Nostalgia
The unveiling of these throwback uniforms has reignited discussions about the team’s name. The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) released a statement through The Washington Times, asserting that “with national sanity restored, it’s time to make the Commanders the Redskins again,” and labeling the current nickname a “whitewashed team name.” They further stated: “We want the Redskins name back, fully — with Chief White Calf’s image, our warrior name and our fight song, which for decades rightly described a Redskin as ‘a brave on the warpath.’ Nothing more, nothing less.”
This isn’t the first time NAGA has taken action; in 2023, they filed a lawsuit against the Commanders, alleging defamation and conspiracy related to the name change. The lawsuit sought over $1 million in damages and accused the team of defaming the organization and monopolizing the narrative around the name change.
Adding to the discourse, President Donald Trump recently expressed his opinion on the matter. Speaking to reporters, he stated, “I wouldn’t have changed the name,” and added that the current name “doesn’t have the same ring to me.” However, he acknowledged that winning could make any name more palatable, saying, “If they win, all of a sudden the Commanders sounds good.”
Despite these calls for reverting to the old name, Commanders owner Josh Harris has previously said that the team will retain the “Commanders” moniker. In a press conference earlier this year, Harris stated, “I think it’s now embraced by our team, by our culture, by our coaching staff. So we’re going with that.”
Of course, you can hear every Commanders game live right here on WFIR 107.3 FM, 94.5 FM in Botetourt, and 960 AM. There’s just something about following the team on radio – whether you’re driving, working around the house, or out tailgating, you won’t miss a play or the energy of the broadcast team bringing the action to life.
Officially licensed jerseys will be available for purchase in early September. Starting today, fans can sign up on Fanatics for “notify me” alerts so they know the moment jerseys become available. Helmets and other merchandise featuring the new design will roll out in the coming weeks at Store.Commanders.com, Fanatics.com, and NFLShop.com.
The Commanders say the throwback-inspired design connects the franchise’s storied past with its future, bridging generations of fans. And whether you’re seeing these uniforms on TV, in person, or listening live right here on WFIR, you’ll be part of that nostalgia all season long.
