Washington Redskins Name Change: A Family’s Perspective
In July 2020, the NFL’s Washington Redskins announced they would be changing their name and logo, which had been based on Native American imagery. Fast forward to 2022, when the team appointed a new commander. There’s a personal connection here: the logo was inspired by the Blackfeet Tribe’s Chief John Two Guns White Calf. His nephew, Thomas White Calf, feels that former President Trump’s recent acknowledgment of their family legacy gives them hope for recognition.
Chief Two Guns White Calf was a prominent figure—a face familiar to many Americans. He represented the Redskins for nearly five decades until the name was retired in 2020.
There was a time when his legacy was intertwined with American history.
The White Calf stood as a guardian of tribal customs in his homeland of Montana. He traveled to Washington, D.C. to honor treaties made between Native Americans and the U.S. government. Interestingly, his likeness was also the inspiration for the famous 1913 “Indian Head” nickel, which has since become a collectible.
He was quite a celebrity, forming friendships with notable figures like New York Governors Al Smith and Teddy Roosevelt Jr. The national significance of his life became evident after his passing in 1934, which was prominently covered by the media.
In 1972, White Calf’s image became synonymous with the Redskins, championed by Blackfeet leader Blackie Wetzel and supported by many Native Americans nationwide.
However, the rise of what some call “cancel culture” attempted to erase public recognition of figures like him. The Redskins, and the legacy of Two Guns, became early targets.
As a result, the name White Calf was removed from the narrative of the team, and it felt as though an important chapter of history had been written over. Some even dismissed his memory, labeling him a “savage mascot.”
An organization, the American Indian National Fund, played a significant role in this backlash, which some linked to funding from various sources, including the George Soros Foundation.
This unfortunately reduced historical figures to mere caricatures, and in doing so, it seemed to liberate American Indian history from being featured prominently.
Polling indicated that a significant majority—90%—of Native Americans favored keeping the Redskins name. Yet, their voices were largely ignored. The family of White Calf was never consulted about these changes.
Thomas White Calf expressed gratitude toward President Trump for advocating that the Redskins’ name be restored, viewing it as a necessary step to confront and rectify racial injustices.
It seems like a genuine caring gesture. The sentiment is: it’s time to make history right again.
To the White Calf family, the Redskins are still the Redskins. They hope to partner with President Trump to reclaim their rightful name and uphold the dignified image of Chief Two Guns White Calf as an American hero.
They believe it’s essential for their family to have a place at the table, advocating for the establishment of a Hall of Fame at the new Redskins stadium. Such a space could celebrate contributions from Two Guns, the Blackfeet people, and the broader Native American community to the United States.
Ultimately, they wish for American Indians to be remembered, valued, and never erased from the narrative.
God bless the Blackfeet. God bless President Trump. And God bless the United States of America.
