It’s Past Time We Bring Back The Washington Redskins
This week, attention in Congress focuses on a notable American Indian issue, particularly regarding the Washington Commanders football team and its use of the Blackfeet chief logo. Montana Senator Steve Daines recently expressed his support for legislation allowing the Commanders to use Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, following negotiations assuring the honoring of the logo associated with the Blackfeet tribe. The team, which changed its name from “Redskins” in mid-2020 amid racial sensitivity discussions following George Floyd’s death, had originally based the logo on the likeness of Blackfeet chief John Two Guns White Calf.
Daines shifted his stance after discussions with the NFL and Commanders, emphasizing the potential for revenues to benefit Native Americans. He argues that merely displaying the old name and logo at charity events is insufficient and calls for a complete return to the “Redskins” name, claiming that the initial premise for the rebranding was flawed and not driven by malicious intent. Public sentiment among Native Americans largely supports the old name, with surveys indicating pride in the moniker. A significant petition calling for the name change back to “Redskins” has also gathered over 145,000 signatures, highlighting strong fan support for the revival of the name.
A notable American Indian is getting widespread attention in Congress this week — and no, I’m not talking about Elizabeth Warren.
On Wednesday, Montana Sen. Steve Daines appeared on Fox News’ “America Reports” to discuss his support for legislation authorizing the Washington Commanders to utilize Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in the federal district. The National Football League (NFL) team currently plays its home games at Northwest Stadium, which is located in Landover, Maryland.
According to the outlet, Daines “decided to support the measure following ‘good faith negotiations’ that the Commanders and the NFL would honor the Blackfeet chief logo that the organization used for decades before switching monikers.”
The Washington franchise notably ditched its “Redskins” nickname in July 2020 following the death of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter activism that swept the NFL and other American institutions. Left-wing activists weaponized Floyd’s death to fulfill their decades-long goal of changing the team’s name, which they claimed was “racist” and offensive.
As noted by Daines, however, the likeness of the Redskins logo was based upon John Two Guns White Calf, a former chief of the Montana-based Blackfeet tribe. Furthermore, the logo was designed by now-deceased Blackfeet Tribal Chairman Blackie Wetzel. The descendants of both men have supported the team’s use of the logo, according to Fox News.
While previously opposed to the bill permitting the Commanders to utilize RFK Stadium, Daines explained that he changed his position after having “good discussions with the NFL and with the Commanders” to ensure the “logo [will] be used again.”
“Perhaps revenues going to a foundation that could help Native Americans in sports and so forth. We’re making good progress and, based on the good faith negotiations, I made a decision to support this bill [Tuesday] in the committee,” the Republican senator said.
But “honoring” the Washington franchise’s former team name and logo by haphazardly displaying it in charity events isn’t good enough. It’s past time the D.C.-based enterprise right its previous wrong and bring back its “Redskins” name.
The entire premise for rebranding the franchise to begin with was completely illogical. What happened to Floyd had nothing to do with the Redskins or sports.
Nor was the name ever created with the intent of demeaning American Indians. As previously noted, the exact opposite is true.
Moreover, public polling has long shown the vast majority of Native Americans reject leftist claims that the Redskins nickname is “offensive.” In fact, a 2019 survey among 500 self-identified American Indians showed that the most-picked word to describe their attitude toward the Redskins name was “proud.”
The Washington fanbase has also been vocal about their support for reviving the Redskins. A petition launched last year encouraging the team to change its name back has already garnered more than 145,000 signatures.
And for the Commanders ownership, there is no better time to make such a move.
Sports culture is changing for the better. Players once silenced into toeing the line drawn by left-wing woke scolds are breaking free and embracing conservative-leaning trends sweeping the nation.
Across college and professional sports, athletes of all backgrounds are mimicking Donald Trump’s iconic “YMCA” dance during scoring celebrations. Some of them are even openly supporting the incoming president, while others are unapologetically declaring their Christian faith. These actions would’ve seemed unfathomable a few years ago, when sports associations like the NFL were embroiled in racial politics.
Reverting the Washington franchise back to its Redskins roots would further facilitate this desperately needed cultural healing.
Yes, the leftists permeating the NFL’s corporate offices will blow a gasket. And yes, their media allies will scream baseless accusations of “racism!” But Washington’s owners must ignore the noise and realize that returning America to a culture of normalcy is much more important.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
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