US President Donald Trump has urged the Washington Commanders to revert to their former name, the Redskins, which was dropped in 2020 due to its racist connotations. He did so in a social media post in which he even hinted that he could block the construction of the new stadium if the old name is not reinstated.

Neither the NFL franchise nor the league itself has issued a public response to these statements. Is the silence a strategic decision or a missed opportunity to reaffirm their principles?

The precedent of the Cleveland Guardians

This stance contrasts with the immediate and clear response of the Cleveland Guardians, the baseball team that also changed its name for similar reasons. Following a comment by Trump calling for them to revert to their old name, the Ohio franchise unambiguously reaffirmed its current identity.

Should the Commanders do the same? Or is the track record of statements by their owner, Josh Harris, who has already said on several occasions that the previous name will not return, sufficient?

Ignore or take a public stand?

In other contexts, not responding to certain provocations may make sense. But in this case, the comment comes from the president of the country, who links a major economic urban development—the new stadium on the grounds of RFK Stadium—to an identity issue. Can the franchise afford not to respond to political pressure of this magnitude?

The very history of the name change and the departure of the previous owner, Dan Snyder, is part of a process to restore the franchise’s institutional credibility. Isn’t maintaining a firm stance in the face of attempts to roll back progress part of that same path?

Political correctness or conviction?

It’s not just about politics, but about values. Trump already lashed out at the NFL for protests during the national anthem, in a context also linked to racial issues. Is this a new chapter in the same narrative?

The Commanders’ new philosophy and management have generated excitement among fans, and the arrival of Jayden Daniels as quarterback has reignited sporting interest. Does it make sense to divert that focus because of a controversy that the team itself had already closed years ago? It doesn’t seem to make much sense to fuel this outburst…