Washington Football Team Name Suggestions Due By April 5

ASHBURN, VA — Fans are running out of time to suggest a new name and identity for the Washington Football Team. The team will stop accepting suggestions on its website after 11:59 p.m. April 5.

So far, the team said it has received more than 15,000 submissions from fans across 60 countries since its rebranding website launched in August. In a news release, the team said after submissions close, the franchise will move into the next phase of its complete rebrand.

The Washington Football Team has featured some of the more popular ideas on their website. The Redwolves, Rhinos and Justice have all been suggested as possible replacements.

Last summer, the team's corporate sponsors, including FedEx and Nike, pressured the team to change the name during last summer's racial justice protests. Nike removed the team's merchandise from its store, and FedEx threatened to remove its name from the stadium unless the mascot was changed.

For decades, Native American activists insisted that the team's former name was racist and offensive. "For generations, this team name and logo has misrepresented the true history and events," the Navajo Nation said in a news release when the change was announced.

The current name was established as a placeholder while the franchise searched for a new identity. Now, the franchise says it is looking to include fans and the community in its rebranding process.

"We set out to make the rebranding of this storied franchise a truly collaborative and inclusive process," team president Jason Wright said. "As we close the process of formal fan submissions, we will continue to engage with the community through various platforms."

The Washington Football Team said it would continue to engage with fans through a new docuseries, Reddit forums, and briefs on the franchise's website. "This is about much more than a name," Wright said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to be a meaningful and lasting part of our history."

The Washington Football Team's rebranding website will still be active after submissions close, according to the team. In the future, fans will be encouraged to share ideas about new game-day experiences.