Respond to prefers-color-scheme dark in app web views

Follow section front redirects in Spectrum

Enable NLP source in PCS for load testing

Switch off the News Alerts Survey Widget when we have enough responses

Poll to determine if new LUF updates are available

Allows the winning A/B test variant to be turned on without Spectrum deployment

Show infinite scrolling sections in Assembler MultiView

Show option for NLP article summaries in Action Bar

Show NLP summaries collection recirc on article pages

A general feature flag for Recipe Features that aren't yet released

Feature flag for media team features that aren't yet released

Use new Orca video player for preroll plugin in Spectrum

Show the snow tracker (instead of the heat tracker) on Spectrum

Nats go over .500 the hard way by beating the O’s and Corbin Burnes

A look at what has changed since the Nationals were last above .500

Baseball can crush rookies. Why hasn’t it crushed Trey Lipscomb?

Postal worker finds WWII-era letters, drives 5 hours to deliver them

Strangers help Sesame Street puppeteer after heirloom necklace was stolen

Teen grabs wheel when driver passes out and school bus veers into traffic

How Trump’s allies amplify his Truth Social messages to the wider world

Indy Star bars columnist from Caitlin Clark’s games after awkward exchange

The Washington Post wins three Pulitzer Prizes

RFK Jr’s ‘history lesson’ on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine flunks the fact test

No, posting is not better political activism than talking to voters

The legal — and political — stakes of Stormy Daniels on the stand

France tries to shed its rude reputation ahead of the Olympics

Don’t be a jerk at the airport: A guide for headphones

The new cure-all for vacation excess: the IV drip 

Commerce Department revokes more export licenses to China’s Huawei

Middle East conflict live updates: Israel says it has reopened key aid crossing; U.S. paused bomb shipments to Israel

U.S. signals optimism for Gaza cease-fire as Israel moves into Rafah 

Carolyn Hax: Family pushes siblings to ‘make amends’ after their mother’s death

Miss Manners: I’m offended by a golfer’s skirt choice

Ask Amy: I want to be closer with my brother. He never reaches out to me.

Substack courts TikTokers with new ‘creators’ program

Indiana primary updates: Mike Braun wins Republican governor race

In photos: The scene after a deadly tornado strikes Oklahoma

Fashion previews, protests, parties: The scene surrounding the Met Gala

The Trump-Biden battle over the 2017 tax cut

That time football legend, rig-driving eligible bachelor Biden was arrested

The FTC’s noncompete clause rule goes too far

The next global crisis could come from the sun. We should prepare now.

Russia is using toxic chemical weapons, wrecking a ban it helped create

US-VOTE-POLITICS-ECONOMY-BIDEN

John McDonnell

After 18 months and more than 40,000 fan submissions with nearly 1,200 names, Washington fans finally had a chance to sound off on the team’s new name: Commanders.

The team announced the name Wednesday, and many fans gave it a lukewarm welcome, with a fair amount disliking the name for its militaristic sound and lack of creativity.

Alex Moody falls in the section of fans against the name Commanders. Moody grew up in Alexandria, and one of his first memories as a kid is watching John Riggins stiff-arm Miami Dolphins cornerback Don McNeal for a touchdown en route to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/longterm/superbowl/stories/sb17.htm" target=_blank>a Super Bowl XVII victory</a>.

Washington unveils new name, uniforms: Meet the Commanders

As the first Joe Gibbs era progressed, his excitement for the team heightened, but since Washington’s last Super Bowl victory, he said it has been terrible watching the team. Moody, 46, didn’t understand the previous name was a slur as a kid, but as he grew older, he understood and supported the name change. He was frustrated when owner Daniel Snyder opposed it for years. But when the name was announced Wednesday, it “landed with a thud.”

“It struck me as the most generic, kind of devoid-of-meaning name they could have picked,” Moody said. “ ‘Commanders’ just goes towards a bland corporate name or brand that has zero interest, zero meaning.”

Elliott Gibson Jr. said he felt the consensus name among fans on social media for the past 18 months was the Red Wolves, and that’s what he wanted. Red Wolves was ruled out because of copyright concerns, but Gibson, a 44-year-old law student who studies intellectual property, argued that the Commanders presents the same problem because of the Alliance of American Football’s San Antonio Commanders. He believes Washington could have made the name work.

Instead, the team went with a name Gibson believes is too generic and makes for easy jokes.

“First thing I’m thinking is Commander of what? Who are you commanding? What does this even mean?” Gibson said. “And then you see all the jokes coming out already. The name was announced hours ago, and people are talking about ‘going commando’ and ‘the commandos.’ It’s just a joke.”

On Twitter, many users mocked the name, with some saying that they were underwhelmed given how long it took for the new name to actually be unveiled. Others called Commanders a name for a college team or the XFL.

Linda Thomas, who lives in Seattle but grew up in D.C., told The Washington Post she regularly roots for both the Seattle Seahawks and Washington. Thomas, 64, relocated to Washington state shortly after she graduated from Howard University with a degree in chemical engineering.

“Regarding the team’s new name, the Commanders, Thomas said “it doesn’t bother me” but she was hoping Washington would pick an animal for a mascot — such as the Red Wolves or the Hogs.

Jorge Ribas

Jeff Jacobs, who lives in Northwest Washington, has been a fan of Washington’s NFL team since he moved to the area in the 1980s for a career in public health. Jacobs, 64, was sitting in the stands at RFK Stadium when Washington quarterback Joe Theismann broke his leg after he was hit by Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants in 1985.

“You could hear it,” he said. “You could almost hear the bone break. It was just a horrific moment.”

Jacobs said he supported Washington’s decision to lose its old name, though he didn’t love any of the alternative names that have floated around during this 18-month rebranding process. He wasn’t even a fan of the Washington Commanders originally. But now that the new name has been announced, Jacobs is more excited. He says Commanders “represents a winning name,” something the team needs desperately. “We’re a losing team with an abysmal culture,” Jacobs said. “I think it’s a great name to try to live up to.”

Stephen “Rally Captain” Boyd was asked by the team to be at FedEx Field by 5:30 a.m. Of course he obliged and joined a small contingent of others standing outside the team store at the stadium. Most arrived at 6 a.m., save for one fan who showed up at 3 to be the first in line for new gear.

Boyd, one of Washington’s most devoted fans, wore his signature chain and ‘W’ — he conceded he might need a new one after the rebrand — and said the loyal fans “are going to get behind” the new name “and we’re going to do what it takes to get the fan base riled up to get behind it.”

Boyd, however, is realistic about the reception from many fans.

“A lot of people aren’t going to like it,” he said. “But there’s also going to be a few out here that do like it. Give it time. They will eventually gravitate to it. It’s going to take a minute. But the fact of the matter is, we’re here. We’re die-hards, and we aren’t going anywhere.”

Janelle Smith has a softer stance compared to fans who voiced their disappointment. She watched the team in the 1970s and ’80s and grew up idolizing Doug Williams.

Smith showed up at the team store at FedEx Field on Wednesday morning and waited to get her Commanders merchandise. While she doesn’t love the militaristic sound of the name, Smith looked at Commanders from a different angle.

Washington football is using the military as a deodorant, and the whole thing stinks

“It’s good to have change, you know what I’m saying?” Smith said. “I know it sounds military in terms of the Commanders, but if you take possession of it and take it in a positive sense in terms of commanding your destiny, I think it’s a pretty good name.”

Many of the fans who showed up to FedEx Field didn’t seem to care what the new name was, instead shifting their focus to adopting it as their own and starting fresh.

Tony Bell, 60, joked that he was wrapped in a Washington blanket as a kid and was forced to become a fan. He called the Commanders a “decent choice,” but more importantly, he hopes the new name brings fans back so the team can build a home-field advantage like the RFK days.

“It’s a good start,” Bell said. “Folks was having problems with the name, so if that’s an issue, maybe that will bring people back. But also have to have good players. We also have to have a good team. We also must have a good fan experience here, too.”

No one Wednesday was more enthusiastic outside the team store than Tavon Fennell Sr., known as “Rev. T” to some Washington fans.

Fennell, 47, was decked out in a burgundy robe with the letters “Rev. T” scripted across his shoulders and a hat from the store with the new Commanders logo. Earlier in the day, before the store opened, he was leading chants trying to incorporate the new team name into a song and continued as he left the store with merchandise.

He understands the name is a mixed bag, but “Rev. T” doesn’t care about what the name is: He’s focused on moving forward.

“The damage, so to speak, is already done,” Fennell said. “So at some point, what do you do? Do we continue to cry about it? Or do we continue to embrace it?”

<i>Teddy Amenabar contributed to this report.</i>

Northwestern University, BS in journalism and BA in African American studies

Andrew Golden covers the Washington Nationals for the Washington Post after previously assisting on the Commanders beat and sports breaking news team. Andrew started at the Post as an intern in 2021. 


Andrew Golden

washpost

Washington fans have mixed reactions to Commanders

the-washington-post

WFT new team name

The Washington Post

staff

name

iptc-media/sport/competition_discipline/soccer

iptc-media/sport/competition_discipline

iptc-media/sport/competition_discipline/American_football

iptc-media/sport

client-blocklists/Client List: Morgan Stanley KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Becton Dickinson KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/CLIENT LIST: Nomura KWs 2021 - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Johnson & Johnson KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Bed Bath & Beyond KWs - INCLUDE ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Exxon Mobil  - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/WaPo: Combined Disaster Keyword List - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: USAA KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: T. Rowe Price KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Microsoft KWs 2 - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Google PG KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Discover Card KWs – EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/T. Rowe Price KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Ford/Lincoln KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/HBO KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Ronald McDonald House KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Capital One (One Tech) KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Navy Federal Credit Union NFCU KWs 2 - EXCLUDES ALL - 12.23.20

client-blocklists/Client List: Mercedes EQS KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Louis Vuitton KW List - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Diageo - Johnnie Walker KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Invesco KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/FlexForm KW List - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Mercedes KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Boeing KWs 2021- INCLUDE ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Organon KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: AT&T KWs 2021 - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Optum KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Synchrony Financial KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Inpixon KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

advertising/B2_Football_legacyaux_75m

client-blocklists/Client List: ExxonMobil 03312021 KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Showtime KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Apple TV+ KW – INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client Neg KW List: Omega KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/PMI KWs 2021 - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Marcus Goldman Sachs Neg KW List - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/ Geico KWs - EXCLUDES ALL_4.29.21

client-blocklists/Client List: Eli Lily KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: IBM KWs ALTERNATE Watson - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Citibank KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

advertising/B2_Design Engineering_legacyaux_i6w

client-blocklists/Citibank KWs 2021 - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: IBM KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Purina KWs - INCLUDES ANY

advertising/Fortune 500 Content

advertising/Citrix Mindfulness

client-blocklists/Client List: Fidelity Investments KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/CME KW List 2022 - EXCLUDES ALL 

client-blocklists/Bank of America KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

advertising/B2_Holiday_legacyaux_o3u

advertising/Client Keywords: On Running

client-blocklists/BP KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/National Instruments KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: Intel KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: AT&T Digital Divide  - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Samsung 2021 KWs - EXCLUDE ALL

advertising/B2_Positive News_legacyaux_hlt

client-blocklists/Google PG Competitor KWs - INCLUDES ANY

advertising/B2_Sports_legacyaux_sns

client-blocklists/Client List: GEICO KWs

client-blocklists/Client KWs : FBI

client-blocklists/Client List: KPMG KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Navy Federal Credit Union NFCU KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/WaPo: Human Disaster

client-blocklists/Client List: Verizon KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Novo Nordisk KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Siemens KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Facebook KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Cisco KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: AT&T ALT KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/FX Excludes All Disney

client-blocklists/Client List: Boeing KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Aetna KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Google KWs - INCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Philip Morris KWs - INCLUDES ANY 

client-blocklists/Dupixent neg kws - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Capital One KWs 2 - INCLUDES ANY - 1.4.21

client-blocklists/Bank of America Merrill Lynch KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/CME KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Chase KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Client List: Office Depot KWs - INCLUDES ANY

client-blocklists/Client List: ETrade KWs - EXCLUDES ALL

client-blocklists/Amazon KWs - EXCLUDE ALL 

prism://prism.query/two-sites,/sports/redskins,/sports/washington-nfl&limit=20

Washington Commanders

Washington Post coverage of the Washington Commanders NFL team.

prism://prism.query/site-articles-only,/sports&limit=20

Sports

The Washington Post Sports section provides sports news, video, scores, analysis and updates about high school, college, and pro sports teams, including the Capitals, Nationals, Washington Football Team, United and Wizards. Post Sports also offers blogs and discussions about the latest sports news.