The Commanders unveil the new pig mascot named “Major Tuddy”, despite threats of a suit from ex-players

“Major Tuddy” could become a big problem for the Washington Commanders after the franchise unveiled their new pig mascot on Sunday.

Despite threats of a lawsuit from former players from the 1980s teams, Washington unveiled a pig mascot and christened it “Major Tuddy” — giving it a rank and a nickname that’s a slang term for touchdown.

Earlier this year, the team revealed its two choices for a potential mascot — a “dog” and a “pig” — to fans during a game at FedEx Field.

The new pig mascot was unveiled the same day the Commanders were eliminated from the playoffs after a loss to the Cleveland Browns.

The newest National Football League mascot, named Major Tuddy, was unveiled on Sunday

The pig-like creature pays homage to a group of players on the offensive line in the 1980s

In September, the commanders revealed the two finalists: a dog and a pig

The term “Hogs” has been associated with the team since the 1980s – back when they were called the Redskins.

It was created as a term for the offensive line, coined by the team’s orienteering coach at the time.

Because of this affiliation, the original members of the Hogs are suing current Washington owner Dan Snyder for not giving them credit to reclaim “their rightful ownership” of the term.

Despite this threat, “Major Tuddy” was revealed anyway, and social media users were quick to criticize the mascot for its name, looks, and design.

An SB Nation blog linked to rival Dallas Cowboys asked, “How does this franchise literally mess everything up?”.

“Reason 1000 why Washington should have been called the Warthogs and not the Commanders,” wrote NFL YouTuber Samuel Gold. “Actually, I don’t like the mascot. All mascots are inherently stupid and spasmodic… But Commanders was/is a bad name.’

Another Twitter user responded with an image comparing Tuddy to a pig-like creature from Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

Twitter was quick to mock the team for its new mascot, despite its ties to the team’s history

“Can we just move on to new ownership, a new front office, and the inevitable rebranding that will finally mercifully put this whole mess behind us?” wondered one Washington fan.

Another user joked, “named it after a touchdown we couldn’t score enough all season.”

More mocking images were found in the comments, including one of Kramer from Seinfeld wrinkling his nose at a doctor.

Fans believe a new ownership group could change the team name or mascot altogether

The retired players who could sue Snyder are members of an LCC known as O-Line Entertainment, and are made up of former teammates from the big Washington teams of the 1980s. The group includes retired offensive linemen Joe Jacoby, Mark May and Fred Dean, former tight end Doc Walker and legendary running back John Riggins.

“If they go ahead on Sunday and make the pig their mascot and try to trademark it, we’ll be forced into a trademark infringement case,” O-Line Entertainment attorney Seth Berenzweig told Front Office Sports.

“We made it very clear to them that we believe they would be infringing on the trademark and they need to agree a licensing deal with the players. They refused to do that.’

The term “Hogs” was given to Washington’s beefy offensive line in the 1980s and early 1990s when the team was still known as the “Redskins.” Washington would go on to win three Super Bowls with the Hogs, who created their own group of fans known as “Hogettes” — supporters typically adorned in women’s clothing and pig noses.

Major Tuddy’s debut took place on the day of the Hogs’ 40th Birthday Commander Celebration.

The term “Hogs” was given to Washington’s beefy offensive line in the 1980s and early 1990s when the team was still known as the “Redskins.” Members included Russ Grimm (front), Joe Jacoby, George Starke, Fred Dean, Mark May and Jeff Bostic

Legendary Washington Redskins running back John Riggins also has an interest in Hogs’ LLC

The team had planned to honor the Hogs during Sunday’s game against rival Dallas Cowboys. Former head coach Joe Gibbs and the Hogettes (pictured at a game in 1984) are also expected to attend the celebrations

O-Line Entertainment already filed trademarks for “Hogs” and “Original Hogs” last summer. According to FOS, the US Patent and Trademark Office is expected to make an initial decision in the coming weeks.

Trademark attorney Zak Kurtz told FOS that the Commanders have a good chance of winning a lawsuit over the use of “hogs” if the situation arises.

“Unless they commercially use the words ‘OG Hogs’ or ‘Original Hogs,’ it would be hard to win if the Commanders challenged them,” Kurtz said. “Even then, Washington could probably prevail. The team could say, “We had the responsibility for it first.”

“We are planning a celebration of the greatest offensive line ever played in this game,” the commanders said in a statement. “The Hogs are an important part of our franchise’s history and we want to keep their legacy alive with the next generation of fans. We’ve been working with the Hogs on this event for six months and look forward to welcoming them and Coach Gibbs back.’

After years of defending the use of “Redskins,” team owner Dan Snyder relented in 2020

The Washington Redskins mascot stands on the sidelines during the 1995 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium February 5, 1995 in Honolulu. The team dropped the “Redskins” name in 2020 after years of protests from Native American groups who found it offensive

The mascot debate comes less than a year after the Commanders revealed their new and current team name after years of controversy over the use of “redskins.”

The rebranding process began in 2020 when the team gave in to years of pressure by dropping “Redskins,” considered offensive to Native Americans. In 2021, the team played as the Washington Football Team.

During their ‘Redskins’ years, the team had a black mohican mascot adorned with a loincloth bearing the club’s logo.

The club has its origins in Boston, where then-owner George P. Marshall wanted to call them the “Braves,” but settled on his second pick due to the existence of the city’s National League baseball team, which has since moved to Milwaukee and Atlanta .