Jay Gruden, 54, Discusses Washington Football Team's Controversial Name Change

Jay Gruden, 54, Discusses Washington Football Team’s Controversial Name Change: ‘I Don’t Think Anybody Really Cares’

As the Washington Football Team prepares for yet another name change, former head coach Jay Gruden has given his input on the subject matter. Apparently, he doesn’t care.

“I don’t think anybody really cares,” the 54-year-old said on the “Russell & Medhurst” radio show on Tuesday. His input came right after the team announced that as they move forward in their rebrand, they will be changing the team name once more. Additionally, they will be revising their logo.

Initially named the “Redskins”, the team faced criticism for insensitivity and perpetuating racist stereotypes against Native Americans.  The team name was then changed to the Washington Football Team as a temporary placeholder, but now a more permanent name remains in the team’s future.

“We can finally say that we are in the homestretch of our rebrand journey,” Jason Wright, team president, wrote in a statement released January 4th. While he was unable to spill the beans about the new name, he announced when the team will be rebranding.

“What comes next is exciting and fast-approaching — and here’s my second update: we can’t wait to reveal our team name to the world on Feb. 2, 2022!” Wright stated. He concluded his message with the sentiments, “Mark your calendars, Washington Family. This is not a day you’ll want to miss!”

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Jay Gruden doesn’t think Washington Football Team should have changed their name in the first place

However, their former head coach Jay Gruden doesn’t see what all of the excitement is all about. Gruden, who was fired in 2019 after suffering a 0-5 start to his sixth season with the team, expressed the controversial opinion that the name shouldn’t have been changed at all.

“I don’t want to ruffle any feathers, but they should have never changed the name in the first place,” the former coach shared.

After this comment was made, one of the radio show hosts then amended that most of the fan base would agree with Gruden. A host responded to Gruden with the sentiments, “With the fanbase here, that’s probably the greatest thing you’ve ever said to them because I think 90% of the fanbase agrees with you 100 percent on that as well.”

Regardless, it doesn’t seem like the team will be taking advice from Gruden anytime soon. In Wright’s announcement, he shared that he hopes to honor the team’s past while also bringing new life to the team. The team is on the “brink of starting a new chapter, but our history, our legacy cannot be lost along the way,” he said.

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