Descendants of a prominent Native American chief whose likeness inspired the Washington Redskins’ former football logo are seeking a meeting with President Donald Trump in an effort to restore the team’s historic name and imagery.
The family of Blackfeet Chief John Two Guns White Calf has launched a public campaign calling for the Washington Commanders to reconsider the branding changes implemented in 2020.
Their proposal includes restoring the Redskins name, bringing back the chief’s portrait, and naming the franchise’s planned new stadium in his honor.
Family representatives say their ancestor’s image was a source of pride and recognition, and they want a greater role in decisions affecting his legacy.
Chief Two Guns White Calf was a prominent leader of the Blackfeet people in Montana.
His likeness became the inspiration for a football helmet logo developed in 1971 by Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, a Blackfeet tribal leader.
Wetzel helped bring a depiction of a Native American figure to the Washington football franchise, replacing an earlier design featuring the letter R.
The logo became one of the franchise’s most recognizable symbols and remained associated with Washington football for decades.
Washington retired both the Redskins name and the historic Native American logo in 2020 amid sustained controversy over the team’s branding.
The organization subsequently operated as the Washington Football Team before adopting the Commanders name in 2022.
Now, descendants of Chief Two Guns White Calf say they want a renewed discussion about the meaning of the logo and the importance of their ancestor’s place in football history.
Morningstar Gopher, an estate representative, is helping coordinate the family’s restoration effort.
Speaking with Montana television station KTVQ, Gopher described the chief’s historical importance and his lasting connection to the NFL.
She stated, “He was such a leader and he had a hold on the National Football League for 50 years.”
The family also expressed frustration that relatives of the chief were not consulted before the original branding was removed.
Estate lead Kenneth Conway described the removal as a loss of recognition for his family.
He said, “They tried to erase us, like we didn’t exist anymore.”
Brock Conway, identified as a family historian, also said the descendants had not been consulted when the team made its decision.
The family’s campaign now seeks to place their views directly before the franchise’s leadership and the White House.
Gopher confirmed that the family hopes Trump will become involved in the effort.
She told KTVQ, “We’re hopeful for a meeting with President Trump in order to help get this pushed forward.”
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