A Troublesome Name

The Washington Redskins became a professional football team in 1932 — 81 years ago. They are a familiar, iconic franchise in professional football. But all that might be about to change.

The Redskins are hardly the only franchise in sports that has ties to Native Americans. Cleveland has the Indians, Atlanta has the Braves, Florida State is the Seminoles, and Chicago has the Blackhawks. But it is the Redskins that have drawn protests, criticism, and pressure to change their name.

Daniel Snyder, the owner of the team, has been emphatic that the name won't change. Many of the faithful in Washington, D.C. feel likewise. But the tide seems to be turning. Many in the nation have advocated change, sportswriters have refused to use the name, and even President Obama has publicly criticized the name.

Personally I'm torn on the issue. I see both sides. But, then again, Redskins isn't a racially offensive term to me. If it was, I would probably feel different. The fact is this has become a more politically correct world, so a name like that is an afront to our new culture. Maybe that's a good thing.

I remember a time when the Washington, D.C. basketball team was called the Bullets. Now they're the wizards, a name that doesn't conjure violence in a town that has a problem in that area. Maybe it's time for the Redskins to follow suit.