The Washington Commanders can feel the new energy surrounding the team. The players have said all the right things when asked about owner Daniel Snyder in recent years and the pending sale of the franchise.
NFL owners will hold a special meeting on July 20, where it is expected they will vote on Washington’s sale from Snyder to Josh Harris.
Deep down, players understood why some fans weren’t fully embracing the once-beloved franchise. More than once, Commanders star defensive tackle Jonathan Allen — a Virginia native — has given out free tickets to fans to encourage them to return to FedEx Field to support the team.
More recently, some players have commented, but nothing too specific. In an Instagram story from Commanders running back Antonio Gibson, he made it clear that there should be no more excuses for fans to “pop out” and pack FedEx Field.
Antonio Gibson IG story…players expect fans to be back! 👀 pic.twitter.com/i8BbXRIYcB
— SZN⚡️ (@CommandersSZN_) June 25, 2023
Gibson is right. Fans have finally gotten what they’ve wanted for years: A new owner. While much is said about Snyder’s treatment of employees — and rightfully so — arguably no owner in American professional sports history has singlehandedly destroyed a franchise the way Snyder did Washington. Certainly, no owner in NFL history.
But, on the other hand, it’s difficult for players to understand exactly how much the past 24 years have damaged the franchise’s fan base.
Yet finally, there is hope. And for so many years, hope did not exist.
