The Mission: Robert Royal Talks Washington Name Change and More

This week on the Mission podcast, former Washington, Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns legend Robert Royal shared his thoughts on the name change of the Washington Football Team and the life lessons he learned while playing for the Burgundy and Gold. 

“Initially I was drafted by the Washington Redskins, and obviously if the name offends any person — and I mean anyone … it’s something that needs to be changed,” said Royal. 

“I totally understand, and I’m all for it. This is the one thing I can honestly say after looking back: When I was a player, there were some moments where we as players felt like ownership dropped the ball, but I think ownership is doing the right thing now by getting the right leadership in place,” Royal further clarified.

I was with the Cleveland Browns, along with Robert in 2005 when Jason Wright, the newly named president of the Washington Football Team and first African American to hold that position in the NFL, was just hanging on as a taxi squad player. Both of us knew he was destined for something special.

Robert, a former Edna Karr High School football and basketball star, not only is revitalizing the neighborhood where he grew up in New Orleans with refurbishing homes, but he and his Royal Team also have been tackling childhood obesity for the past 14 years through the amazing efforts of the Robert Royal Foundation.  

“I’m just trying to do everything I can with all of the resources that I’ve obtained over the course of my career. We’ve teamed up with Fit Nola; this organization goes out and builds different workout playgrounds throughout the country, and it’s really great what they do because now with COVID-19,” Royal said.

“You can work out at a playground instead of taking the risk of contracting the virus in your local gym. We’re just trying to get people in the community fit and healthy.”

Click here to listen to the full episode