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With RFK site at stake, the Commanders try to satisfy the Wetzels

The Commanders are rebuilding trust with the descendants of the man who created the franchise’s old logo. It could impact a possible stadium in D.C.

7 min
By Sam Fortier

The Washington Commanders and the Native American family that helped create the team’s former logo have in recent months taken steps to rebuild a relationship that was severely damaged during previous ownership.

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Last week, after many virtual meetings, two representatives from the Commanders and one from the NFL flew to Montana to meet with the descendants of Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, who helped design the profile of an Indian warrior that served as the NFL team’s primary logo from 1972 until 2020, when the team retired the logo and its former name.

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