Commanders' Josh Harris Talks 'Redskins,' Challenges Cowboys as 'No. 1 Team'

Fans are surely ready to give credit to Josh Harris for this: It has taken him no time to reveal a positive bias toward the Washington "Redskins" ... er, "Commanders." And to show off a Dallas Cowboys dislike.

Give credit to Josh Harris for this: It has taken him no time to reveal a positive bias toward the Washington "Redskins" ... er, "Commanders." And in addressing that while in the same two sentences also taking a poke at the hated Dallas Cowboys, the new owner has ingratiated himself with D.C. faithful.

“It’s hard to imagine, but I’ve seen the numbers,'' said Harris, who took over in public on Friday after the ouster/sale involving the "asinine" and disgraced Dan Snyder. "The Commanders were once the No. 1 franchise in the NFL back when they were the Redskins - not the Dallas Cowboys."

Ah yes. The glory days in Washington. And if one juggles the numbers just right, there is some truth here. We're not sure if Harris' "numbers" are about TV ratings or T-shirt sales. But this much is so: From 1982 to 1991, Washington won three Super Bowls. That is a solid decade of excellence.

At the same time, even the most passionate Cowboys hater would have to concede that from 1971 to 1995, Dallas had "numbers." As in Super Bowls. As in five of them. 

Additionally, if anyone was to hint that Washington was really, in this country's heart, soul and mind, its "favorite" team? Maybe. But by the time Washington won that 1982 Super Bowl title, the "America's Team" was already etched in stone, about five years previous.

And while other franchise every once in a while try to swipe the title, it's theirs. ... in the same way another NFL offensive line simply cannot call itself "The Hogs."

Also interesting here is Harris' use of the moniker "Redskins." That's been a sort of dirty word in the NFL, understandably so. But it echoes to the possibility of another name change in Washington. Did Harris mean it that way?

New #Commanders owner Josh Harris: “It’s hard to imagine but I’ve seen the numbers. The Commanders were once the #1 franchise in the NFL back when they were the Redskins. Not the Dallas Cowboys.”

Harris says he wants to bring those glory days back.

pic.twitter.com/5HP0W3zpi4

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 21, 2023

Maybe the Harris group, which also includes Magic Johnson, will offer a real foundation of success, something Snyder often seemed like he wasn't really even trying to achieve. To Harris' credit, though, for now? He concedes where the "Redskins" ... er, Commanders ... are truly perched.

"The opportunity is up here," Harris said, gestured with his hand held high. "And the work is up here.”

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