Crusader

A D.C. Council member is preparing to introduce a resolution calling on the Washington Redskins to change its name, perhaps to the Washington Redtails.

Council member David Grosso, an independent elected last year, said he plans to pursue his non-binding resolution because the current name is “a derogatory, racist name.”


“It’s been a long time that we’ve had this name associated with Washington, and I think its time we take a stand and change it,” Grosso said.

Grosso is circulating his resolution to other council members to try to get co-sponsors. So far, he said, council members Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) and Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) have agreed to sign on to it.

In recent months, as the Redskins made their run toward the playoffs, debate about the Redskins name has been heating up. Earlier this year, Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) said he would also like the name changed. But Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and team officials have largely avoided the debate, giving no indications that they are seriously considering such a change.

According to Grosso’s resolution, which he said he plans to formally introduce in a few weeks, the 13-member council would declare that “District residents and their elected representatives should not tolerate commercial or other use of derogatory terminology relating to any people’s racial identity, or which dishonors any person’s race, or which dishonors the name Washington.”

“Washington’s name has been dishonored by association with the word ‘Redskins,’ ” the resolution states. “Because it is well known in America and in nations afar that American Indians have experienced utmost suffering and disrespect over the years.”

Past debates about a Redskins name change have quickly become hung up on what would be an appropriate name for the team.

In his resolution, Grosso urges the team to change its name to the Washington Redtails, noting that that was the nickname used by the Tuskegee Airmen, the pioneering aviation unit that broke the color barrier for U.S. military pilots in World War II. A plane used by the airmen recently was put in a place of honor in the Smithsonian.

Grosso said a change to the Redtails would be a relatively seamless.

“You can still sing the song and everything,” said Grosso, before singing, “Hail . . . to the . . . Redtails.”

Just as importantly, Grosso said, “you can still keep the feather.”

D.C. Council may push Washington Redskins into ‘Washington Redtails’ - The Washington Post

If the name needs to be changed I think thats a pretty good option. Sounds pretty much like the old one, you can keep the colours and pretty much everything else.

W.T. Sherman is my favorite General. After all he did order Atlanta to be burned to the ground.

TheOak

if you start here... where does it end?

This is funny
WHAT ARE THE MOST OFFENSIVE SPORTS TEAM NAMES?

Packers/Rams/Flames/Oilers - Mocks gay men

Crusader

It might end with changing all those names. Some teams and tribes however have an agreement n the use of name and imagery, Florida State for example.

Jamessr

I really wish this PC crap would go away.

RockyMountainSaint

Daniel Snyder is the only person who can make the change.

Not gonna happen.

SmashMouth

Just rename them the "Foreskins" and call it a day.

TheOak

This is actually a giant onion with many layers. "If" you mandate that teams change their names because certain people find them offensive than you also have to go and start changing other names.

Seattle "Bombers" baseball team... See where it is going?

Then you will have the atheists wanting all cities named after Saints changed...

Once the snowball starts rolling... it will never stop because it sets precedent.

TheEnigma

I don't see a problem with the "Redskin" name. Its just a football team name, why are some so angry about it?

vpheughan

"Foreskin" is offensive to those that have been circumcised!

homerj07

Doh!! STILL - SPPMO!!!