Introducing the Washington Orcs!
Here we go, Big Green, here we go!
So the Washington Redskins might be losing the registration on their name’s trademark. They can choose to fight if they want to, but I think they should look at this as an opportunity.
In one fell swoop they can not only leave behind their old name and all its associations and history, but also embrace the rising popularity of fantasy in the modern culture.
Try this name on for size: Washington Greenskins! (Yes, they could go with the Washington Orcs, but I like the symmetry of greenskins.)
That’s right. Orcs. Perfect for a football team. The owner can even choose the style of orc he wants, for associations. Orcs come in a variety of types. They can be brutal and warlike, they can be noble and honorable, or any shade or combination in between.
Orcs have a long, storied history in the public consciousness going back at least as far as The Hobbit. In fact, Wikipedia says Tolkien gave them their start as the foot soldiers of darkness.
But they’re not under trademark.
Other writers have included orcs in their stories, as have roleplaying games, video games and more.
Orcs even have a history of playing a game that’s kind of like football: Blood Bowl.*
Think of the ad campaigns they could run. The merchandising. The mascot! Gordak the Mighty! Slayer of Opposing Quarterbacks!
And their fan base. A whole cross-section of fantasy gamers and readers who don’t watch football might just give it a shot for the novelty.
This could even start a trend. We could get sports teams away from real people entirely, replace them with creatures from fantasy and folklore. Gone are the Spartans, Braves, Trojans, Highlanders, Vikings, Celtics, Fighting Irish and more. Instead we have dragons, wyverns, goblins, trolls, and more.
Heck, if my favorite baseball team decided to change its imagery, the San Francisco Giants could have fantasy associations right now.
So what do you say, Washington fans? Could you embrace the Greenskins?
*Also, an old Dragon Magazine had a fantasy football game that included orcs. (Full disclosure: I still have a copy.)
