Washington Name Series: Hogs

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July 15, 2021

by David Earl

Multiple Variations In Using Hogs

Although it’s a small sample size, the fact that “terrible” overwhelmingly one this week’s poll is very telling, and some of the reasoning is understandable. While the “Hogs” name alone represents part of a Golden Era of this franchise, naming the team based on a singular unit – the famed offensive line of the 1980s – didn’t exactly excite fans. Also, the idea of just simply naming a team after a member of the pig family has turned many heads the other way. Simply put, there really isn’t much support for any variations of Hogs and some have gone as far as to say leave it the Washington Football Team. Even though I could just simply end my piece here, let’s look at what these names could bring in some detail.

Washington Hogs

Courtesy of Gridiron Classics, we all can relive (or see for the first time) one of the greatest units not only in team history but the NFL too. The anchor for 3 Super Bowl championships and a bedrock unit that gave this team an identity, naming the team Hogs fulfills many fans’ wishes to honor the team’s history. One of the biggest concerns of most fans after the team retired the Redskins name was the potential fading of this once proud organization’s history. Of course, there’s no way that truly happens but inserting Hogs as the name ensures that the age of championship gold standard football will always continue to live on through generations.

I get it – naming an entire organization after a pig leaves much open for ridicule. After decades of shame and dysfunction, then the gut-punch of losing our iconic name, entering a new era as Hogs is understandably a turn-off. Even though the legacy and reference to our great offensive line is there, it’s an era far removed and a legacy some feel Dan Snyder has tarnished. As the poll shows there is little room for compromise on the potential of this name.

Strong Military Reference in Washington Warthogs

The A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as Warthog, was first put into production in 1972 and was an aircraft designed for low altitude missions capable of withstanding heavy artillery attacks. This dubbed “Tankbuster” aircraft displays great resiliency mission after mission regardless of the dangers it faces like the battle damage suffered from a mission in Bahgdad. The aircraft was not only able to respond to the pilot’s emergency actions to navigate to safety, but the thousands of shrapnel holes scattered throughout its airframe also did not prevent its safe flight back to base. This versatile, tough, and highly efficient aircraft, capable of not only leaving a trail of destruction but bounces back strong after taking a beating, is certainly a strong representation of the culture Ron Rivera is building. His message is clear each and every week which emulates the A-10 platform in resiliency, withstanding every obstacle laid ahead, and always keep fighting regardless of just how beaten down you feel. This team, in Ron’s vision, should enter every week with a mindset that no team is strong enough or fast enough to break their will much like every pilot’s confidence when strapped in the belly of the beast (the A-10 Warthog)!

Whatever The Direction

If any reference to Hogs is considered, it’s somewhat clear they will need to make a big effort sell this name. Notwithstanding the legacy or the military reference behind any use of Hogs, the fans just want a fresh start that’s unique and different. The consensus among fans seems to be for a name devoid of ridicule, such as a filthy pig reference nor a name that potentially eliminates the cherished Burgundy and Gold theme a military effect may have. As far as War Hogs the only thing we achieve here is just a more fierce and angry-looking version of a pig (honestly I don’t necessarily hate it). Plus, the logo in a Burgundy and Gold color scheme is rather sharp in my opinion.