The Washington Redskins have a controversial name. The team has had the same name since 1932. GM Bruce Allen says the name is staying despite pressure to change it.
The Redskin name was brought under fire recently as being offensive to Native Americans . Many critics around the D.C. area are demanding a name change for the Redskins. GM Bruce Allen isn’t budging.
According to Yahoo! Sports, Bruce Allen has called the idea the Redskins are trying to offend Native Americans with its name as “ludicrous.” He proudly says:
“There’s nothing that we feel is offensive. And we’re proud of our history.”
The Redskins name change idea was brought up at a symposium last week at the Smithsonian that was extremely critical of use of the word “redskin” as offensive.
GM Bruce Allen and the Redskins franchise responded to the name change idea by posting a listings of 70 high schools that still use the supposedly offensive moniker on the Redskin’s official website .
The website lists history and tradition as main reasons GM Bruce Allen should not consider a name change:
“Redskins.com found that there are almost as many schools using the name Redskins as Cowboys, as only 75 schools use the name Cowboys, and interestingly just 19 use the name Giants.”
One high school in a Ohio city rich in Native American history still uses the Redskin moniker. Coshocton High School is not considering a name change either. The article quotes the school’s athletic director:
“We are very proud of our athletic teams and very proud to be called Redskins. the name represents to us competition and pride.”
Washington Redskins GM Bruce Allen’s “no name change” declaration appears to have plenty of support along with its critics.
Allen probably wishes he could focus on other things though, like the health of franchise quarterback RG3 , instead of a “ludicrous” name change controversy. As he calls it.
What do you think? Is the Redskin moniker offensive? Should the Washington Redskins change their 81-year old name?
[image via Olga Bogatyrenko / Shutterstock.com ]
