Commanders honor Bobby Beathard with new draft room

The Washington Commanders have honored one of the most critical executives in franchise history.

The franchise announced and held a ceremony this week that its draft room is now named after, who served as the team’s General Manager from 1978-1988. The ceremony brought together multiple generations of the Beathard family, Commanders team officials, and staff to celebrate the legacy of the most successful general manager in franchise history.

Washington made sure the tribute captured more than just numbers and accolades. As family members stepped into the new space, emotions immediately took over, laughter at old photos, tears during a heartfelt video, and smiles at the legacy left behind by a man whose influence continues to shape the franchise.

Aug 4, 2018; Canton, OH, USA; Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 enshrinee Bobby Beathard stands with Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Tom Bensen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

“It was amazing. It was overwhelming. It was just wonderful,” said Christine Beathard, Bobby’s wife. “It was like having somebody really appreciate what Bobby was.”

This room was built as more than just a workspace. It’s a lasting tribute to Beathard’s team-building genius and the culture he fostered during his tenure. Under his leadership, Washington reached four Super Bowls, won three Lombardi trophies, and laid the foundation for several Hall of Fame careers.

“Shoot, if we're half as good as him, we'll be alright,” general manager Adam Peters joked during the ceremony.

The new draft room reinforces the principles he believed in: collaborative scouting, character-first evaluation, and trusting the team around him. That spirit is one the Commanders hope to carry forward into a new era of football.

“Building teams in the past isn't really any different than the way it is right now,” said Jeff Beathard, Bobby’s son and a current Commanders scout. “You're still going out evaluating football players. You're hiring good scouts that can go out and identify good players that fit the type of culture you want.”

The room is full of meaningful photos, memorabilia, and personal touches, many of them showing Bobby smiling, laughing, and connecting with those around him. It reflects not just his football acumen but also the warmth and joy he brought to the game.

“People write stories, and they write about what he's done, but that room made me think people understood that he was so much more than a good GM,” Christine Beathard said. “So many of the pictures, he was smiling or laughing… he embraces virtually everybody he meets.”

Beathard's passion for football was never just about winning — it was about relationships. One quote, now displayed prominently in the room next to his Pro Football Hall of Fame bust, reads:

Bobby Beathard quote and football in draft room | Washington Commanders PR

“Football is my whole life. It's all I've ever wanted to do… If I had a lot of money and I didn't have to work, I'd still want to do this.”

Jeff Beathard explained how his father led with humility and empowerment:

“He knew he couldn't do all this on his own, so he surrounded himself with the right people in the right spots… He wanted to hear everything, and then that's how he would make decisions. But it was just a complete, ‘let's work and build and do all this whole process together.’”

The event itself became a living embodiment of the values Bobby Beathard cherished. Every scout was in attendance. So were head coach Dan Quinn, general manager Adam Peters, Senior vice president Lance Newmark, who got his NFL start under Beathard with the Chargers, and Managing Partner Josh Harris. Even the youngest members of the Beathard family played nearby, filling the room with joy, laughter, and legacy.

“Having everybody together in that real fun way, that was Bobby,” Christine said. “I know that he was there in the room when we were there.”

The Commanders now have a new draft room built for the future, but grounded in the values, leadership, and humility of a legend who helped define the team’s greatest era. The name on the wall is more than just a tribute. It's a daily reminder of how greatness is built together.

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 offseason.

More Washington Commanders News

• Commanders owner buys record-breaking Jayden Daniels rookie card

• Commanders vs. Bears rematch won’t feel the same

• Commanders make important announcement ahead of 2025 season

• Jayden Daniels steps into the spotlight during a big weekend for NFL stars