Commanders Heading Back to their Spiritual Home

By Peter Mann

It will take time, we all know it will, but the anticipation is now very real for supporters of the Washington Commanders with news breaking on 17 September 2025 that, in 2030, they are going back to what is their ‘spiritual home.’

Between 1961 and 1996 the then Washington Redskins resided at what was known as the RFK (Robert F. Kennedy Stadkum), on East Capitol Street, Washington D.C., moving ahead of the 1997 NFL season to what eventually became known as the Northwest Stadium, in Landover, Maryland, some six miles or so north-east.

They’ve had a reasonable run at the Northwest, winning four NFC East titles in the past three decades but the Commanders, as they’ve been known for the past few years, there’s not been a Super Bowl run for many-a-year, in-fact there’s only been seven play-off appearances since leaving RFK.

At their former home there was, among other records, that of the most combined points (113) for an NFL game, recorded in the game on 27 November 1966, when the Redskins beat New York Giants 72-41, under then Head Coach, Otto Graham – Sonny Jurgensen 10/16, 145yds, 3TDs (pass); AD Whitfield 74yds, 2TDs (rush) and 5yds, 1TD (rec), Bobby Mitchell 54yds, 1TD (rush), Joe Don Looney 46yds, 1TD (rush), and Charley Taylor 124yds, 2TDs (rec) – whilst their last game there came on 22 December 1996, in front of 56, 454 spectators, the Redskins beating the Dallas Cowboys, 37-10.

A statement from the Commanders’ Managing Partner, on behalf of the NFL franchise, read: “Today is a historic day for D.C., the Commanders organization, and our fans.

“With the Council’s approval, we can now move forward on the transformative RFK project that will bring lasting economic growth for our city.

“This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and collaboration between Mayor Bowser, Chairman Mendelson, the Council and the countless community, business and labor leaders whose voices and input helped shape the process every step of the way.

“We are deeply grateful for the warm return to the District and the center of the DMV, and look forward to officially bringing the team back to its spiritual home in 2030.”

Could this also mean a return to their former, and beloved name, Washington Redskins? A lot of supporters, and others globally, certainly feel that would be the way to go, with the Redskins name having been dropped five years ago now.

Come the opening of the ‘New Commanders Stadium,’ as it’s currently named, on the old RFK site, a decade will have elapsed since the Redskins name was used, a name which has a long and rich history attached to it.

Calls for the Redskins name to be restored have certainly increased in recent years, even going as high as the White House, and the current President of the United States himself, wading in.

In the past few months Donald Trump has been vocal on this particular aspect, saying on Truth Social that: “My statement on the Washington Redskins has totally blown up, but only in a very positive way.

“I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original “Washington Redskins,” and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, “Washington Commanders,” I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington.

“The Team would be much more valuable, and the Deal would be more exciting for everyone.”

Legality-wise, 2024 would see that of H.R 4984 passed by the House of Representatives (28/02/24), and later in the year, passed in the Senate (24/12/24), then, as the New Year started to gather pace, the President himself signed by official federal law, and transferred over the land to the District of Columbia.

It’s true as well though, Washington Football Team never had any kind of ring to it, and, although Washington Commanders has perhaps been, settle with, since it came about in 2022, the Redskins name dates back even longer, the franchises former name was the Boston Redskins, having initially been the Boston Braves, way back in the 1930s.

Looking at that statement alone, reading between the lines if you can do that, then a Redskins return could very well be possible. 

As the Redskins, and at the RFK alone, they claimed three Super Bowls, five NFC Championships, and five NFC East titles, in what were heady times for the Burgundy and Gold – silverware, great Head Coaches, and even greater players, took to that field.

It kind of brings to mind a saying from the 1989 film, ‘Field of Dreams,’ “if you build it, they will come,’ and that’s what the Commanders’ owners will hope will happen with their new venture.

The new stadium, once completed in 2030, is expected to be a multi-purpose venue that will be owned by the government of the District of Columbia (via Events DC) and operated by the Commanders franchise, with events from sports and music, through to graduation ceremonies, expected to take place there.

It is expected to cost in the region of $3.7 billion, the Commanders contributing the largest private investment in D.C. history, $2.7 billion, with demolition of the old RFK and groundbreaking scheduled for 2026.

It is said to be a legacy-making transformation project for current D.C Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, changing an area into something very much wanted and worthwhile, compared to how it has been in recent years.

Only two council members voted against what was a very decisive, 11-2 vote in favour of the decision, with a lot of back-and-forth, adjustments and the like, between council members and the Commanders franchise being jostled before the decision was finally made, and announced.

Council President, Phil Mendelson, said of recent days work that: “I think it’s fair to say that the team, which focuses on football and not on the legislative process, is quite frustrated with what it sees as a lot of last-minute asks.”

It all came good though, as the announcement on 17 September 2025 is that, in around five years’ time their ‘spiritual home,’ will be their home once again.

With updates dating back to the beginning of 2023, anyone interested in the progress of the new stadium and other goings on, should visit https://ourrfk.dc.gov/

PETER MANN

NFL ANALYST

PETER IS A LIFELONG SPORTS FAN, JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR BASED IN COUNTY DURHAM. HE HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL AND THE RAIDERS SINCE THE 1980s, AND LOVES BOTH SPORTS AND FAMILY HISTORY. PETER HAS A DEGREE IN SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY, AND CAN BE FOUND ON TWITTER @petermannwriter

 
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