GREATER LANDOVER, Md. — For the first time since it was removed from the Washington Commanders football stadium over concerns it was racially insensitive, the former Native American logo of Washington football is once again being displayed by the team. And it could help clear a major hurdle for the Commanders potential return to the RFK site.
In a private ceremony Sunday attended by Team President Jason Wright and Vice President of Public Affairs Kirtan Mehta, family members of Walter “Blackie” Wetzel said the prayed over and celebrated the team’s former logo which Wetzel is credited with creating. Other members of Wetzel’s Blackfeet Tribe from Montana attended the unveiling of the large display honoring Wetzel and the logo in the Club Section of the Commanders newly named Northwest Stadium.
“It was an emotional experience finally seeing the acknowledgment for my grandfather and what he had contributed,” said Ryan Wetzel, who has led the family’s protests over the removal of the team’s former logo.
“Seeing my 83-year-old uncle who's the eldest of my grandfather Blackie,” Wetzel said. “Seeing tears in his eyes, the joy because, you know that was his dad. He viewed his dad as a hero. And it was something that we are so grateful for and very, very much thankful.”
At the request of the Wetzel family, Montana Sen. Steve Daines (R) placed a hold on legislation working its way through the Senate which would give DC Government long term control over the federal owned RFK Site, clearing the path the team’s potential return to the District when owner Josh Harris moves forward with plans to build a new stadium.
The bill, which easily passed the House of Representatives but still needs approval in the Senate by the end of the year to move forward, is being held up in a Senate subcommittee on National Parks, which Daines serves on over the Wetzel family’s frustration the Commanders no longer use the logo, a fan favorite, on uniforms or merchandise.
A Capitol Hill staff member familiar with that committee’s work tells WUSA9 a hearing to consider the RFK bill could come as soon as next week.
In a statement, Daines called this weekend’s unveiling of the tribute "a step in the right direction."
“This is about righting a wrong," said Daines in the statement. "The legendary Blackfeet logo that was championed by Blackie Wetzel and based on the likeness of Chief Two Guns White Calf must be restored to a place of honor."
"The logo is a point of pride and represents the rich Native American history that helped make our nation great, and it should be enthusiastically celebrated across our culture.”
A team source told WUSA9 Sunday’s ceremony was not solely about removing opposition to the RFK legislation. The unveiling of the new display was about honoring the Wetzel family “after productive conversation and collaboration in recent months.”
In a statement, a team spokesperson told WUSA9, “The Washington Commanders and the Wetzel Family are proud to unveil the Walter "Blackie" Wetzel Memorial at Northwest Stadium. In 1971, Blackie created an iconic logo worn by Super Bowl-winning teams and fans across the globe. Now, half a century later, his story and contributions are memorialized forever at the home of the Commanders.”
“The Washington Commanders and the Wetzel Family look forward to the future and continuing our work together.”
Ryan Wetzel said the family is not ready to give Sen. Daines the green light to remove his block on the RFK legislation, yet.
“It’s still not the end all be all,” Wetzel said. “I'll say this: I'm hopeful that we get to that point. And with the conversations that we're having, I feel it's going in the right direction.”
“And timing is crucial, I get it. But it's looking good.”
Former team owner Daniel Snyder changed the team's name and logo in the wake of the George Floyd protests in 2020, after years of resistance amid calls that the former name and logo were racial stereotypes of Native Americans.
Ryan Wetzel suggested anyone offended by the return of the old logo to the Commanders Stadium “embrace the beautiful history of Native American culture.”
“Don't be ashamed of it,” Wetzel said. “That's a real story. And that's a real person that designed it from the Blackfeet Nation, our people.”
Wetzel said the family made the request that Sunday’s logo ceremony be held in private.