Earlier this year, the Washington Commanders released their 2026 uniform kits. The all-black "Hail Raiser" uniforms drew some controversy at first, but that has since died down, with the vast majority of people liking the kits. Since then, other teams have released their 2026 uniforms.
The Los Angeles Rams released a Fearsom White and Classic Sol version of their uniforms, and the Buffalo Bills released their Nickel City kits ahead of training camp. With those releases, USA TODAY's Nate Davis created power rankings based on each team's updated uniforms. The Commanders had previously been ranked 30th on the list, and they fell to 31.
A franchise that’s been in constant flux since leaving its former, racist identity behind in 2020 can’t necessarily
be faulted for trying to retain the more appropriate ties to its past – namely last year’s throwbacks, which approximated what the Joe Gibbs-era teams wore (the Commanders logo replacing the one from the Super Bowl glory days of the 1980s and ‘90s). Those throwbacks have now been effectively adopted as the Commanders’ primary unis … though the team just couldn’t help but introduced a “Hail Raiser” alternate that added a spear into the current “W” logo meant to, per the team, symbolize “the top fighters, the front lines, those leading a mission who are unafraid to step into the fire.” OK, stop. And stop – to listen to the Native Americans on that front.
Okay, so the Commanders parted ways with the Redskins logo years ago, before Josh Harris even took over the team. They were the Washington Football Team for two seasons before adopting the Commanders brand. Their colors haven't changed, nor should they, but they have removed anything that could be deemed racist. We're going on seven years since that change was made.
A spear, while used by the Native Americans along with bows and arrows and tomahawks, has been used by every civilization known to man since the beginning of time. The Romans used them. The Greeks used them. The Chinese used them. The use of spears does not solely belong to the Native Americans.
Regardless of team history, that spear is a minor part of the Commanders' full uniform kits. It's on one helmet, an alternate, that will be worn only twice this season. It should not be the entire reason the Commanders' uniform grade tanks. Davis may not like Washington's uniforms, but almost everyone else does, including, most importantly, the fans.
Remember, as we often say, rankings are subjective.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' uniforms disrespected in latest rankings
