The Washington Redskins are beginning to get pressure from the government to come up with a different name for the team, according to ESPN.com.
Dan Snyder pressured by Congress to change ‘Redskins’ name
This isn’t the first time the government has stepped in on matters pertaining to the football team in our nation’s capital.
Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE
Ten members of congress are hoping the Redskins moniker will become a thing of the past, including Tom Cole (OK), Betty McCollum (MN), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ), Gwen Moore (WI), Michael M. Honda (CA), Donna M. Christensen (VI), Zoe Lofgren (CA), Barbara Lee (CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) and Eni F.H.Faleomavaega (AS).
In recent times, many have spoken up about the name, claiming that it's insensitive to Native Americans. The name has been in use since 1933 when the franchise was located in Boston and playing in Fenway Park.
Despite all the pressure on owner Daniel Snyder from all sides, Snyder has repeatedly said he won’t change the name under any circumstances. Snyder grew up a Redskins fan, so that also might be factoring into the equation.
This issue isn’t the first that has brought the attention of the government to this team. In the early 1960s, then-owner George Preston Marshall, a known racist, refused to employ a black football player.
The government finally had to step in and informed Marshall the Redskins wouldn’t be allowed to play at RFK Stadium (at the time called D.C. Stadium) if he didn’t bring in minority players.
Marshall caved, trading for Hall-of-Fame halfback/receiver Bobby Mitchell.
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