WASHINGTON — Many Washington Commanders fans call it the spiritual home of the franchise: RFK Stadium. And now, WUSA9 has learned the Commanders are making progress in removing a major roadblock from the path of the team potentially moving back to D.C.
“It's really an exciting step forward,” said Ryan Wetzel, a member of the Native American Blackfeet Nation in Montana. “And again, I'm going to remain hopeful that we can figure something out in celebration of this wonderful franchise, and the logo.”
As WUSA9 has reported, for the Washington Commanders to return to the RFK site, DC Government has to get long-term control of that federal land. But right now, Montana Sen. Steve Daines is blocking legislation which would do that, over complaints from constituents who are also members of the Blackfeet Nation, that the team no longer honors its famous old logo.
That logo was created by a member of the Blackfeet Nation, Blackie Wetzel. But the franchise stopped using it over complaints it, and the teams former name, were racist.
Blackie Wetzel’s grandson Ryan said the logo is actually a source of pride for his family and his tribe, and he is demanding the team bring it back in some form or fashion.
Sen. Daines said until Ryan Wetzel is satisfied, he will not advance the RFK bill out of the subcommittee he sits on.
“My job is to be a voice for my constituents in Montana, that includes Ryan, the Wetzel family and the Blackfeet Tribe," Daines said. "I’ll continue to stand with them until they are satisfied that the team and NFL are committed to honoring the iconic logo that remains a point of pride for them.”
Sen. Daines’ RFK bill opposition remains pending the talks.
Friday, Ryan Wetzel said as part of ongoing negotiations with the Commanders, the team has invited him and a number of his family members to the team's home opener on Sept. 15.
Wetzel said the details are still being ironed out, but it is his understanding his grandfather will be honored during that visit.
“This is the first step. This isn't the end all be all, I want that known,” Wetzel said. “This is something that is going to be continuing. This is a nice first step in a healthy direction, it's a positive for the Commander's organization and the NFL.”
Wetzel would not say with certainty what the team needed to do to satisfy his family’s desire to have the logo, and his grandfather, honored. He did acknowledge the clock is ticking on getting RFK legislation approved in Congress.
“I wanted it at RFK,” Wetzel said of a new Washington Commanders stadium. “You know, my grandfather was friends with Robert F. Kennedy. And so, it only makes sense to have it there. That's the home base. That's where it all started.
“So, my hope is that, in the conversations that I am having with the Commanders and in our family, that you know, it happens sooner than later. And I'm going to remain hopeful. I feel like there's positives in on the horizon.
“And in DC, just hang in there, because I see a positive coming down the pipe.”
In a statement, a Commanders spokesperson told WUSA9:
The Commanders organization is grateful to Ryan Wetzel, the Wetzel Family and members of the Blackfeet Nation as we work to honor the historic contributions made to the team by the legendary Blackie Wetzel. Our conversations are progressing positively and official plans to honor Blackie's legacy will be announced in the coming weeks.
A source with close knowledge of the stadium discussions tells WUSA9 that the team hopes the RFK stadium site becomes a viable option in the near future given its history to the franchise and fanbase, but their foremost priority in working with the Wetzel family is to honor the legacy of Blackie Wetzel.