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Commanders Defend Spear Logo as Native Groups Denounce Design

The rollout revives a long-running dispute over Native imagery with criticism over harm and consultation.

Overview

  • The Washington Commanders, which unveiled new 2026 uniforms Wednesday on X, introduced an alternate helmet logo showing a spear through the team’s W.
  • The Association on American Indian Affairs condemned the design as inappropriate and said “We are not your mascot.”
  • Other Indigenous voices, including Not In Our Honor and scholars such as Suzan Harjo and Stephanie Fryberg, said the spear revives harmful stereotypes tied to the former name.
  • The Native American Guardians Association welcomed the spear element, calling it a small return of Native imagery that honors heritage.
  • Team leaders framed the logo as a link to past and present and indicated the spear will stay, while declining on-the-record answers about consultation or NFL involvement.