The Chicago Blackhawks have recently addressed the topic of their team name. That subject gained attention during the NFL's period of reevaluating team names with racial implications, such as the Washington Redskins' change to the Commanders. The Blackhawks' name, derived from Black Hawk of the Sac & Fox Nation, has been a point of discussion.
Amid the NFL's changes, questions arose about the Blackhawks' name. The team's statement clarified their position, emphasizing that their name honors the legacy of Black Hawk and aims to respectfully showcase Native American culture and history.
Established in 1926, the Chicago Blackhawks derived their name from their founder Frederic McLaughlin, who was a commander in World War I in the 86th Infantry Division, nicknamed the "Blackhawk Division." The team's emblem, which has remained mostly consistent since the 1959-60 season, depicts the head of a Native American with a feathered headdress and face paint.