50 US Senators have signed a letter asking NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to push for a Washington Redskins name change.
50 US Senators have signed a letter asking NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to push for a Washington Redskins name change.
In it, they point to the example recently set by the NBA in their handling of LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling and his racist comments.
The NFL is being asked to follow suit and pressure the Washington team to rid itself of the Redskins name, as its deemed offensive to Native Americans.
In the letter it’s declared that organizations representing 2 million indigenous people and 300 sovereign tribes find the name to be derogatory and support it being retired.
The Redskins owner, Dan Snyder, reportedly says it is ‘a tribute to the courage of Native Americans’, and maintains his position that the name is staying.
An NFL spokesman defended the name in a statement saying, “The intent of the team's name has always been to present a strong, positive and respectful image.”
Earlier this year, Snyder established a foundation dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for Tribal communities.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who endorsed the letter, responded to Snyder’s foundation announcement by asserting that the change is not a matter of if, but of when.
