A month ago, Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, declared he would never change the name of the Redskins, despite some people allegedly finding the word “redskins” to be offensive.
Even Congress got involved.
Ten members of Congress, having nothing better to do with their time, sent letters to Snyder, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Redskins sponsor FedEx and the other 31 NFL franchises, urging the Washington Redskins to change their name because ”redskins” is racist and offensive to many Native Americans.
Among the group sending the letters are the leaders of the Congressional Native American Caucus: Tom Cole, R-Okla., and Betty McCollum, D-Minn.
Never mind that a Washington Post poll found that a majority (61%) of D.C. area residents support the Redskins’ name (61%), with 66% saying the team should keep its longtime moniker.
Yesterday, the buzz was that Snyder was caving.
TMZSports reported that a man named Aris Mardirossian registered the name, WASHINGTON BRAVEHEARTS earlier this month. According to the trademark application, the name was designed for “Entertainment in the nature of football games.” Everyone seized on this as indicative of Snyder caving in to PC because Mardirossian happens to be Snyder’s neighbor.
But the NFL’s Dan Hanzus reports that Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie says Snyder and Mardirossian are not in cahoots, and that Snyder doesn’t even know Mardirossian: ”So I just want to let you know, Dan (doesn’t) know the
man, so please, people, stop panicking, there’s no connection.”
My bud Mark S. McGrew has a brilliant idea. From his email to me:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE! The Washington Redskins have announced that they will change their name to the Washington Foreskins in honor of all the pricks in Washington D.C
I like it! I like it! LOL
~Eowyn