Jason Kelce Briefly Revives 'Redskins' Name in NFL Commentary Debut
The former Eagles center mistakenly used Washington's former team name during his first live game broadcast, sparking a friendly wager and some online commentary.
Jason Kelce's first live game as an NFL analyst on Sunday included an unintentional slip of the tongue, as he referred to the Washington Commanders as the "Redskins." The former Philadelphia Eagles center, now working as a studio analyst for ESPN's Monday Night Football, was calling the Indianapolis Colts versus Washington Commanders game in London when the remark occurred.
"The Redskins right now are doing a great job of not only staying tight but making the play when the ball is in the receiver's hand and keeping it short of the sticks," Kelce stated during the broadcast. Play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch, amused, gently corrected him, "Commanders. You did it."
Kelce, seemingly unaware of his gaffe, asked, "What'd I do?" Upon being informed of his mistake, he responded, "Oh, my gosh! I almost made it out… Well, sorry, Washington." Pasch later revealed that he, Kelce, and fellow analyst Kurt Warner had a friendly bet on who would be the first to make that specific error during the broadcast.
The team officially changed its name from the Redskins to the Commanders in 2020, following years of controversy and protest over the name, which many considered a racial slur. The franchise had used the name for 87 years, dating back to its inception in Boston in 1933. The name "Redskins" was part of Kelce's professional career for the majority of his 13 years with the Eagles.
The origin of the term "redskin" has been debated, with some historical accounts suggesting it was used as a derogatory term as early as the 19th century. By 1898, Webster's Collegiate Dictionary reportedly defined it as "often contemptuous." While a 2016 Washington Post poll indicated that a majority of Native American respondents were not bothered by the team's name, this survey and similar studies have faced criticism from journalists and social scientists for their reliability and methodology.
Despite the controversy, Kelce's comment drew varied reactions online. Some conservatives and fans of the team's former name celebrated the slip-up, with some outlets noting Kelce's use of the "real name." Kelce himself quickly apologized and acknowledged the mistake during the broadcast.