Retired QB Taylor Heinicke Bids Farewell with 'Go Skins!' Nod to Old Redskins Name

Taylor Heinicke announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday evening via social media after seven seasons with five teams. He ended his Instagram post with a nod to the Washington Redskins, a team he never played for.

"For 25 years, I had the pleasure to play this great sport of football...It has taught me a lot, not only about myself, but about life as well," Heinicke wrote.

"Many ups and downs throughout the years, but the ups outweigh the downs tenfold. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would've been able to live this life."

"Thank you to all who have supported me in this journey. Thank you all who have believed in me. And thank you to those who gave me the opportunity to live out my childhood dream."

"Excited for this next chapter of my life."

He closed with: "And always, Go Skins!"

The Washington franchise dropped the Redskins name in July 2020 amid pressure over political correctness. It had used the name since 1933, winning two NFL championships in 1937 and 1942, and three Super Bowls in 1982, 1987 and 1991.

The helmet logo featured a chief influenced by Blackfeet Nation imagery, and team leaders consulted the Blackfeet tribal chairman during its design.

Heinicke joined the team in 2020, its first season as the Washington Football Team. He stayed for two more years, starting 15 games in 2021 and nine in 2022. The franchise adopted the Commanders name in 2022.