Burgundy & Gold Reaction: New Uniforms Have Nostalgia Feel

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April 17, 2026

by David Earl

The Uniform Reveal

I mentioned during the rebrand that the Redskins name and the memorabilia you may have should never be wiped out nor ever forgotten. There are stories and history that should always be shared, especially to the younger generations gravitating to this team. Share what Gibbs and the Hogs meant or the pride in Doug Williams being the first African American quarterback to win a Super Bowl and the MVP for the Redskins. The joy of watching one of the best teams in NFL history win a Super Bowl in the 1991 season, plus the emotions we had in the loss of Sean Taylor many years later all happened as Redskins, not the Commanders. This new uniform reveal by Josh Harris and the organization did very well in acknowledging the past appropriately, which helps to ensure a smoother adjustment towards the name Commanders for many. Obviously the name nor the logo not returning will still keep many Redskins fans at a distance, understandably, so but watching this team dressed like the Super Bowl era team and no Commanders name on the jersey is a small victory.

Now it’s important to again recognize the “self-inflicted wounds” under Dan Snyder to show how the last 5 plus years could have been avoided. The PR nightmare that ownership had been in handling the name only shined a brighter light on the name controversy during the 2020 offseason. The fact that major culture wars occurred in 2020 and the team’s biggest financial backers of the name applied pressure to change crucified the Redskins name. Dan’s mismanagement of this organization put him in a position in which he had no fight left to give once his back was up against the wall. If Dan had just properly done his due diligence early on after buying the team and was compassionate in his actions the name had a chance to survive through the 2020 turmoil. I’ve always said if Dan had spent the first few years of his ownership speaking to the tribal leaders of each reservation to discuss the name and how the organization could continue the use in a respectful manner he could have had the ace up his sleeve.

A little foresight on his part could have brought this organization into a new era of Redskins football that would have been far more inclusive to Native Americans. Florida State University’s handling of the Seminoles nickname is one example of what Dan could have done. He could have gone another step further in using this organization to benefit the Native Americans in their everyday struggles. This team could have ushered in a new era of Redskins football working side by side with Native Americans across this country  Instead, this fan base had to endure 5 plus years of unnecessary strain only to circle back to the uniforms without the beloved Redskins name and logo.

These new uniforms take a huge step in ensuring the past is not ignored and buried as that would be disrespectful to the greats like Joe Gibbs, Doug Williams, Darrell Green, John Riggins, The Hogs, and The Posse just to rattle off a few. The history at RFK, such as the “We Want Dallas” chants, the Monday Night Miracle with Santana Moss, and the 10 men on the field tribute to the late great Sean Taylor at Fed Ex Field are just memories we shouldn’t toss aside like yesterday’s news. The golden age of this franchise can now continuously be told and infused with this current chapter of this organization. While it’s certainly difficult for fans like myself to move forward, it’s also important that fans like myself not to allow the rich great history of this organization to be forgotten either. However, it’s also imperative that the history is celebrated appropriately by this organization by not infusing the name Commanders into the team’s past and keeping the name off these uniforms satisfy that aspect. Regardless of why the Redskins name was changed and how it ultimately happened, the Redskins name should still be acknowledged for what it meant and represented especially if they hope the older fans to buy in fully on this current brand.

The Reactions

While the poll below is a small sample it is close to the feel I felt reading through the comments on the day of reveal. The main point of commonality was the home and away jerseys from the Super Bowl era. Aside from Redskins not being on the jersey being still a disappointment most fans appreciated not seeing Commanders being represented on what has represented the Redskins for decades. The gold pants coming back was also a good surprise especially with the burgundy and white stripes present one the pants. There will be an aspect of nostalgia that will certainly be welcoming with these uniforms every Sunday.

As for the black uniforms I am of two camps here personally. I have never liked NFL teams breaking traditional uniforms for the alternate black uniforms so for game time I am not a fan. Thinking on this more recently I think the Jerry Glanville period for the Atlanta Falcons and their black uniforms may play a part in this too. I never liked him as a head coach plus the whole pomp and circumstance he brought with the celebrities had always left a bad taste in my mouth. The 1991 Redskins humbling of Glanville and the Falcons in the divisional round of the playoffs was so pleasing because of the reasons mentioned. That season was certainly a pinnacle for the Redskins organization before you know who systematically dismantled everything.

I digress; the black uniforms, if they are going to be used, hit the mark 100% in design. The burgundy number with the gold trim is worlds better than the Steelers knockoffs of the last two seasons. They look clean for sure and arguably the best of the black alternates in the league. The spear through the logo on the helmet is uncreative and doesn’t fit logically going through the logo. This being used on the black alternates give me the impression Josh Harris is not done with the spear concept potentially. So with all that said let’s read some of the comments.

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