Congress Members Urge The NFL To Rename Washington Redskins

“The NFL can no longer ignore this and perpetuate the use of this name as anything but what it is: a racial slur. It is clear that you haven’t heard the leading voices of this country – and not just Indian Country. Virtually every major civil rights organization in America has spoken out in opposition to this name including the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League, the Rainbow Coalition and the League of United Latin American Citizens” the letter reads.

Cole is one of two Native Americans in Congress, according to the Congressional Research Service.

But a reply has already been written by Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie:
“With all the important issues Congress has to deal with, such as a war in Afghanistan to deficits to health care, don’t they have more important issues to worry about than a football team’s name? And given the fact that the name of Oklahoma means ‘Red People’ in Choctaw, this request is a little ironic.”

“I’ve been spending the last year talking to many of the leaders in the Native American communities. We are listening. We are trying to make sure we understand the issues. Let me remind you” this is the name of a football team, a football team that’s had that name for 80 years and has presented the name in a way that it has honoured Native Americans” Goodell said.

“Saying the Washington football team ‘honoured Native Americans’ perpetuates a charade that dishonours native people and their governments and erodes the reputation of the National Football League. We believe that the fact that this term does not honour – but rather disparages – Indian people and tribes is what will and should guide federal policymakers”.