Washington Football Team Bans Native Headdresses At Games

ASHBURN, VA — Fans of the Washington Football Team will not be allowed to wear Native American headdresses at home games in 2021, the franchise announced on Wednesday. The announcement was part of several new policies for fans at FedEx Field for the coming NFL season.

In 2020, the franchise began distancing itself from the Native American mascot and imagery that it had used for more than 75 years. Due to the coronavirus, fans were not allowed at FedEx Field in 2020, the franchise's first season as "the Washington Football Team."

"We are excited to welcome everyone back wearing their Burgundy & Gold," the team wrote in a news release on Wednesday. "However, Native American inspired ceremonial headdresses or face paint may no longer be worn into the stadium."

The Washington Football Team is still in the midst of a rebranding process that will lead to a new name, logo and mascot. However, the new brand will not have any connection to Native American imagery, team president Jason Wright wrote last month.

"Moving forward with no ties to Native American imagery is the right path," Wright wrote on the team's website. The franchise noted that the rebranding process allowed it to learn more about research that revealed the psychological impact of Native American mascots on Native American youth.

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In the same brief, Wright said that "Warriors" was not being considered for the new name.

"Feedback from across communities we engaged clearly revealed deep-seated discomfort around Warriors, with the clear acknowledgment that it too closely aligns with Native American themes," Wright said.

In addition to the ban on Native American imagery, fans at FedEx Field will also be subject to some coronavirus restrictions, the Washington Football Team said. Masks will be "recommended" for unvaccinated fans and optional for vaccinated people.

The stadium will also be fully cashless. Guests will be able to pay with debit cards, credit cards, and phones at any of the stadium's cash registers.

Tailgating will return to FedEx Field as well. Detailed information about tailgating for the 2021 season is available on the team's website.

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