Commanders Owner Josh Harris Fires Back at Trump’s Rename Demand — ‘No One Owns Our Legacy’
Washington, D.C. – November 12, 2025 – The nation’s capital woke up to a shockwave this morning — a direct clash between politics and passion, as Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris
stood his ground against former President Donald Trump himself.
The controversy erupted earlier this week when reports revealed that Trump had privately urged the Commanders to change their name and consider dedicating the franchise’s upcoming $3.7 billion stadium at the RFK site in his honor. The request immediately sparked outrage among fans, local officials, and former players who viewed it as a blatant attempt to politicize one of the NFL’s most storied franchises.
But Harris didn’t hesitate to draw a line. In a powerful open letter addressed to the league, the fanbase, and the people of Washington, the Commanders owner delivered a message that resonated across the country:
the team’s identity isn’t for sale — not even to a president.
“The Washington Commanders belong to our fans, not to any one individual — not even a president,” Harris wrote.
“We are proud of who we are. This name represents resilience, unity, and every family that has cheered for this team through decades of triumphs and heartbreaks.”
According to league sources, Trump’s proposal emerged as part of informal discussions surrounding the RFK redevelopment deal. He reportedly expressed interest in attaching his name to the new stadium and reviving the team’s former nickname. Harris, however, saw the suggestion as a threat to both the team’s progress and its cultural foundation.
“In America, we are a nation of democracy, not monarchy,” Harris continued in his letter. “We listen to the people — to those who have shed blood for this city, to those who built this community from the ground up. The Commanders name is part of that heritage, and no one can take it away.”
A spokesperson close to Trump later commented that the former president “only wants what’s best for Washington football,” but declined to elaborate further. Still, the pushback from Harris has sent ripples throughout both political and sports circles.
League analysts say Harris’s stance could become a defining moment in modern sports ownership — one that separates loyalty to fans from political or financial influence. “It’s rare to see an owner reject power in defense of principle,”
noted ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “But that’s exactly what Harris just did. It might strengthen the Commanders’ identity for the next generation.”
The reaction from Commanders fans has been overwhelming. Thousands flooded X with messages of support under the hashtag
#StandWithHarris, praising him for protecting the franchise’s integrity. One fan wrote, “We’re not Trump’s team. We’re Washington’s team — built by the people, for the people.”
Even D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joined in, commending Harris for his unwavering leadership.
“Washington football doesn’t need a new name,” Bowser said. “What it needs is unity — and Josh Harris just gave it that.”
For Harris, the fight seems to transcend sports entirely. His words echo a deeper truth about what football means to a city like Washington — a place defined by division, yet bound by loyalty to its colors.
In a city where politics often divides, Harris’s defiant stand has done the opposite — uniting fans under one shared belief: that the Commanders’ legacy belongs not to power, but to the people who bleed burgundy and gold.
Because in Washington, the Commanders’ name isn’t just a logo.
It’s a living symbol — of identity, of democracy, and of a fanbase that refuses to be bought.
Stay tuned to ESPN for continuing coverage of this developing story.
Steelers Owner Art Rooney II Finally Speaks Out, Revealing the “Special” Reason Why the Team Is Still Keeping Head Coach Mike Tomlin Despite Enormous Pressure
As pressure from fans and media continues to mount, calls to fire Head Coach
“People talk about firing a head coach like it’s just a decision on paper,” Rooney said firmly. “But there are things bigger than winning – something we’re building right now that will define the future of the Steelers for years to come. And for that to happen,
Mike Tomlin has to be a part of it.” He paused for a moment before adding, “When you truly understand what the word ‘legacy’ means, you’ll know why we can’t make that change right now.”
His statement spread quickly across social media. Some saw it as excessive loyalty toward a coach who has been with the team for nearly two decades, while others viewed it as a sign that Rooney is looking beyond short-term results.
Tomlin, who has led the team since 2007, has never had a losing season — a rare accomplishment in NFL history. Yet nearly ten years without a playoff win has tested the patience of many fans. Still, for Rooney, stability and identity are not things to be traded away.
“Pittsburgh doesn’t operate out of panic,” he said firmly. “We build to last — not to please in the moment.”
With that statement, Art Rooney II seems to have closed the door on speculation.
