The Blackfeet Family Fighting to Restore The Redskins Logo

The family of Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, the Blackfeet chief who served as the face of the Washington Redskins for 48 years, is advocating for the return of his image to the fields of the NFL. Wetzel, a prominent Native American leader, designed the iconic Redskins logo that featured the profile of a Native American chief in traditional headdress. The image was used by the team from 1972 until 2020, when the franchise retired its controversial name and logo due to mounting pressure from advocates against the use of Native American symbols and names in sports.

Wetzel’s family has expressed that the logo, in their view, was a symbol of pride and honor, meant to represent the strength and dignity of Native American culture. They see its removal as a loss of recognition for Native peoples, particularly the Blackfeet tribe. Some Native American groups have supported the logo’s retirement, while others, like Wetzel’s family, believe that the logo was respectful and should be restored as part of the team’s identity, especially with the recent reconsideration of the team’s branding under its new name, the Washington Commanders.

This request reflects the broader debate within Native American communities and the sports world about representation, symbolism, and cultural respect.

While some feel that Native imagery in sports can perpetuate stereotypes, others believe that certain representations, like Wetzel’s, are a celebration of heritage and should be reclaimed in a respectful way. Whether the NFL and the Washington Commanders will revisit this decision remains to be seen, but the conversation around the logo continues to evoke strong and varied opinions from Native and non-Native perspectives alike.I’m