Chap Petersen was such a diehard fan of the Burgundy and Gold that the Virginia state senator once co-founded the “Redskins Pride Caucus” to defend the team’s former moniker. And just months ago, the Fairfax Democrat appeared to be one of the main backers of a bill that would help the state provide hundred of millions in public subsidies to fund the team’s next stadium.
But in a stunning reversal late Wednesday, Petersen announced that he is withdrawing his support for the stadium project — saying in a statement that he’s lost his confidence in the team as a “viable NFL franchise.