A Montana family has been working to get the NFL team formerly known as the Washington Redskins to keep the logo that was used for nearly half a century.

The late Walter “Blackie” Wetzel helped design that logo as a tribute to the leaders of the Blackfeet Nation.

It’s a helmet logo worn by Joe Theismann, Doug Williams and Mark Rypien, each of whom quarterbacked the team to victories in Super Bowls XVII, XXII, XXVI respectively.

And for the family, it’s not about bringing back the Redskins name, it’s about the history, tradition and importance of the logo.

The Washington Commanders welcomed 22 members of the Wetzel family to Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland on September 15.

An exhibit honors Walter Wetzel and his helmet decal inspiration for the team once known as the Redskins.

“The commanders recognized my grandfather and his contribution to designing this logo,” Ryan Wetzel told MTN Sports around the time the family went to Washington. “They have recognized our family and being able to be part of the family is something I know my grandfather would have always wanted.”

The team used the logo from the 1972 season until 2020, when the team changed both the name and logo due to concerns.

Wetzel spoke with Q2 in June while at the Montana Football Hall Of Fame ceremony.

“It’s not a cartoon,” Wetzel said. “There is a huge story behind it and it is somehow a positive story. We need to continue to share that as it relates to this franchise.”

The Wetzel family has a long history in the Blackfeet Nation.

Ryan’s father was a tribal leader and athlete. His grandfather, Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, was tribal chairman in the 1950s and later president of the National Congress of American Indians.

“Left a legacy that continues to impact society today,” Ryan said.

Ryan Wetzel says he grew up hearing the words Redskins and Red Nation.

“Redskins were part of how you would identify a cultural person as Native American,” Wetzel said. “You have the black people, the brown people, the white people and then the red people. And there were often references to the Red Nation. That’s how I was raised.”

He also understands the negative connotation of Redskins and scalping.

“And there is that division and a lot of people are aware of that now,” Ryan Wetzel said. “And that’s where we as the Wetzel family just really want to praise the logo and not necessarily the name.”

It’s perhaps no surprise that the Wetzels were big fans of the Washington team that won three Super Bowls after the 1982, 1987 and 1991 seasons.

“It was like a family member had just gotten married or something,” Ryan Wetzel said. “It was a joyful time and to see the smile on my grandfather’s face, because I’m telling you he had a piece of that, right? I remember as a young kid just calling it Grandpa’s team.

And now the Wetzel family and the Blackfeet tribe are enshrined in NFL history.

The man behind a logo, perhaps now gone but never forgotten.

“He was a remarkable man,” Ryan Wetzel said. “His vision was always about his people first and it was recognition in the right way.”

The team and the Wetzels sent a joint statement:
“The Washington Commanders and the Wetzel Family are proud to unveil the Walter “Blackie” Wetzel Memorial at Northwest Stadium. In 1971, Blackie created an iconic logo worn by Super Bowl-winning teams and fans around the world. Now, half a century later, his story and contributions are forever remembered in the Commanders’ House. The Washington Commanders and the Wetzel Family look forward to the future and continuing our work together.”