Back in 1932, the team wasn’t even in Washington. They were the Boston Braves, named after the baseball team that shared their stadium. But the Braves wanted their own identity, so owner George Preston Marshall needed a fresh moniker.
Legend has it that the name “Redskins” came from honoring a Native American coach, Lone Star Dietz, who was part Sioux. Marshall wanted something that felt proud, powerful, and distinctly American—like the thunder of hooves on a prairie.
Think of it like naming your fantasy football team after your most charismatic buddy. It starts as a nod, but over time, it takes on a life of its own.
A nod to a coach, or a snapshot of its time?
To understand the name, you have to remember what America was like in the 1930s. Football wasn’t the polished, multi-billion-dollar spectacle it is today. Teams often borrowed imagery from Native American culture, believing it symbolized bravery and toughness.
It’s similar to how you might hang a vintage poster of a cowboy on your garage wall—it seemed cool and heroic back then, but now we see the deeper story behind the image. Context is everything, like realizing your grandpa’s “funny” stories from the 1950s sound a little different today.
Marshall moved the team to Washington in 1937, and the name stuck. The Redskins became a beloved part of D.C. culture, winning championships and earning cheers from fans who wore foam tomahawks and painted their faces.
