The Washington Redskins have had an increasing amount of controversy surrounding their name over the past several seasons. Many feel that the word “Redskins” is a racist term for Native Americans and should no longer be allowed in a professional sport. David Grosso, a City Council member in Washington, D.C., has proposed a solution.
“Washington’s name has been dishonored by association with the word ‘Redskins,’” Grosso wrote in a resolution, via the Washington Post. “Because it is well known in America and in nations afar that American Indians have experienced utmost suffering and disrespect over the years. It’s been a long time that we’ve had this name associated with Washington, and I think its time we take a stand and change it.”
Grosso’s new name of choice? The Washington Redtails. The name would pay homage to the nickname used by the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, which was the aviation unit that broke the color barrier for US military pilots. And as an added bonus, Grosso noted that you could still keep the feather logo to represent a red-tailed hawk.
“You can still sing the song and everything,” he said, “Hail … to the …Redtails. You can still keep the feather.”
Any name change would take some getting used to, so it’s hard to tell if the Washington Redtails has a good ring to it and could catch on. Personally, I don’t think it’s horrible. That being said, Dan Snyder and company have given no indication that they are open to changing the name of the franchise. Unlike that National Basketball League team that changed its name almost instantly, I don’t see the Redskins budging any time soon.
