Donald Trump has reignited one of the NFL’s most controversial debates

During a recent appearance and rally-styled statement, Trump said the Washington Commanders should either bring back the “Redskins” name or prepare to be relocated. The former president, who has never shied away from weighing in on sports culture wars, claimed the rebranding was “woke nonsense” and suggested that fans want the old name back.

But on ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith wasn’t having it.

“This Isn’t About Football—It’s About Politics”

Stephen A. wasted no time calling out Trump’s comments, framing them as political theater at the expense of real social progress. He reminded viewers of why the name was changed in the first place—because of decades-long protests from Native American groups who found the term deeply offensive.

“He’s not speaking to football fans—he’s speaking to voters,” Stephen A. said.
“And that’s what makes this so dangerous.”

Co-hosts weighed in too, but Stephen A. dominated the segment with a fiery, emotional breakdown of the long history behind the name controversy.

A Name That Divided a Nation

The Washington football team dropped the “Redskins” name in 2020 after mounting public pressure, social activism, and corporate sponsorship threats. Since then, the franchise has been called the Washington Football Team, and now the Commanders.

While some fans have nostalgia for the old name, many support the change as a necessary step toward respecting marginalized voices.

Trump’s remarks throw fuel on the fire, suggesting that if he returns to the White House, he would use influence to force a name reversal—or possibly push the team out of D.C. altogether.

The Bigger Issue

Stephen A. wasn’t just pushing back on the idea of changing the name back—he was defending the idea that progress shouldn’t be reversed for clout or controversy.

“This ain’t the 1980s,” he said. “You don’t get to erase what people fought for just because you’re chasing headlines.”