Mind-blowing Washington Commanders since 1932 : 3 Super Bowls, name change, new ownership 2023, history of Washington Commanders dates back to 1932. Heredity of victories, battles and revolutions.
Origins & Early Years (1932–1936)
- 1932: Boston Braves was established, and it played at the Braves Field.
- 1933: Changed their name to the Boston Redskins to match their new stadium (Fenway Park).
- 1936: Made it to the NFL title game where they lost to the Green Bay Packers.
Move to Washington & Rise to Power (1937-1945)
- 1937: Club moved to Washington, D.C. and became the Washington Redskins.
o In the same year they signed quarterback Sammy Baugh who would become a future Hall of Famer.
o First season in Washington was the NFL Championship.
- 1942: Captured the second NFL Championship and beat Chicago Bears.
- 1940 and 1943: Appeared in title games and lost historic defeats (including the much-publicized 73-0 defeat to Chicago in 1940).
- By mid 1940s Washington became a frequent competitor with its owner George Preston Marshall.
Post-War Struggles (1946–1968)
- After the WWII, Washington went into a deep decline.
- Between 1946 and 1970 the team failed to make it to the playoffs.
- Marshall was opposed to including Blacks, and Washington was the final NFL team to eventually include them (1962), when pressured by the federal authorities.
The George Allen Era (1971–1977)
- 1971: George Allen was made the head coach.
- Reputed as his Over-the-Hill Gang (heavy-vet lineup).
- 1972: Washington made it to Super Bowl VII and was defeated by Miami Dolphins (who finished their undefeated season).
- This period brought back dignity and the hype to the franchise.
The Joe Gibbs Glory Years (1981–1992)
- 1981: Joe Gibbs was employed to coach the team and Washington entered its golden age.
- Reputed as an innovative offensive, good line formations and a diverse running back squad.
Super Bowl Success:
- Super Bowl XVII (1982 season) – beat the Miami Dolphins.
- Super Bowl XXII (1987 season) The first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, QB Doug Williams, is featured.
- Super Bowl XXVI (1991 season) – strong 142 season, trampled down the Buffalo Bills.
- The Hogs Offensive Line, Hard-Hitting Defenses, and a Run Game characterized the Gibbs teams.
- Washington turned into one of the best franchises in the NFL.
Decline & Turmoil (1993–2019)
- Post-Gibbs, Washington was plagued by coaching transitions, lack of management and poor play.
- 1999: Daniel Snyder bought the team ushering in a controversial period of ownership.
- Under Snyder, the team tended to invest in costly free agents who were unsuccessful in the long-term.
- They featured in playoffs occasionally (1999, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2015), and no sustained excellence.
- Robert Griffin III (2012) was briefly exciting as he came into the league as a Rookie of the Year but suffered injuries to put an end to his career.
The Name Change Era (2020–2022)
- In July 2020, the team dropped its long-controversial Redskins name following decades of pressure by Native American groups, sponsors and fans.
- Competed in the 2020 & 2021 seasons under the name Washington Football Team.
- In 2020, the Football Team miraculously won the NFC East with a 79 record under coach Ron Rivera due to a good defense by rookie chase young.
Washington Commanders (2022-Present)
- February 2022: Renamed officially as the Washington Commanders, and new uniforms and logos announced.
- The rebrand meant a new beginning after many years of controversies.
- Field play has been inconsistent, and there have been serious problems with the quarterback and a lack of consistency.
- July 2023: Daniel Snyder sold the franchise to a team headed by Joshua Harris (owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils) at a record $6.05 billion.
- Fans are looking at this as a new dawn with hope of going back to the glory days.
Achievements & Legacy
- NFL Championships: 2 (1937, 1942)
- 2000: 3 wins (XVII, XXII, XXVI), 5 total appearances.
- Hall of Famers: Sammy Baugh, Darrell Green, John Riggins, Art Monk, Joe Gibbs and more.
- With a fanatical following, marching band, and ancient rivalries (particularly with the Dallas Cowboys).
History: The Washington Commanders are a team with a complicated yet rich history, starting with its early dominance and three Super Bowl titles to decades of decline, controversy and now renewal with new ownership.
Conclusion
The evolution of the Washington Commanders is seen in its history of dynamic development as the NFL football franchise has experienced successes, adversities, and milestones throughout the various decades. The team started humbly as the Boston Braves in 1932, but soon got acclimated to the new environment, changing their name to the Boston Redskins, and eventually moved to Washington, D.C., where they started to cut a niche of competitive football.
Early successes such as NFL Championships in 1937 and 1942 proved the team as a strong competitor with legendary performance of quarterback Sammy Baugh. However, the post-war years revealed some systemic troubles, on and off the field, when the franchise was struggling with uneven performance and the effects of social exclusion that were still there, only bringing Black players on board in 1962 through the pressure of the federal government.
This was revived in the 1970s by George Allen who created disciplined rosters, which focused on veteran talent and toughness, and led to a Super Bowl appearance in 1972. Nevertheless, the Commanders really enjoyed their golden age with Joe Gibbs in the 1980s and first years of 1990s. The combination of Gibbs and his leadership, new strategies, dominance of the offensive line known as The Hogs, and play history of such players as Doug Williams resulted in three Super Bowl wins and established the team of Washington as one of the most powerful franchises.
The following decades have been characterized by ownership scandals and management turmoil under Daniel Snyder as the team has alternated between short-term playoff victories and long stretches of mediocrity. The socially meaningful renaming of Redskins as Washington Football Team, and later to the Washington Commanders in 2022, was an indication of a new era of modern reinvention and inclusivity. The franchise is promised a new dawn when it was sold in 2023 to Joshua Harris.
The Washington Commanders represent a culture of perseverance, flexibility and years of fan devotion today. Their narrative demonstrates not just the championships and records but the cultural and organizational transformation that occurred in America, which is symptomatic of the rest of the society and the sport. With the new ownership, the franchise is looking at a future that will not forget its rich past, as the fans and players anticipate a new excellence on the field.
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