The nickname of the NFL franchise in Washington, D.C., the Redskins, has been under attack for years, but the club is under an unprecedented amount of pressure to change the name, which many find disrespectful of Native Americans. Team owner Dan Snyder has long said that he would “NEVER” (emphasis is his) change the name of the team, but that was then, and times have apparently changed enough that it’s going to happen. Snyder and new coach Ron Rivera are reportedly discussing new names as we speak.
Regardless of where you come down on the question, there’s one alternative being floated on social media that aviation types like us have already fallen in love with: The Washington Red Tails, a name that would celebrate the accomplishments of the famed Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. The mascot is even easier—a distinctive Red Tail North American P-51. The nickname would celebrate heroic black pilots and what’s arguably the best-loved airplane, ever.
We at Plane & Pilot have gotten our hopes way up on this one and even came up with a no-miss way to start every home game. A high-speed pass of a P-51, or several. We’re open to negation on how many would fly over, though, suffice it to say, the more the better.
And lest you think that this is wishful thinking, the nickname has already gotten a lot of visibility at the highest levels. Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who is black, is pushing for it as the official team name. We second that emotion!
