Former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann said Monday that he was proud to play for a team that he felt represented Native American nations, despite its controversial moniker.
Theismann's opinion, however, is in sharp contrast with the prevailing sentiment that the name is derogatory.
According to TMZ.com, the former quarterback who played for Washington from 1974-85 and led the team to a victory in Super Bowl XVII, said he felt honored to play for a team that made reference to Indians.
"I could just say this, that I was very proud to wear the Redskin uniform and represent the Native American nations of this country, as proudly as we could with such great honor," he said. "After the Super Bowl, I was given an Indian headdress, and I was very, very honored by that."
When asked about President Obama's remarks suggesting a review of the nickname, Theismann simply said that everyone is entitled to an opinion.
Theismann, however, skirted the issue of whether he thought the team should keep the nickname.
"Society's so unique today; it's different. I think people look at things very differently and everybody has an opinion about it. To me, like I said, I was very proud to wear the uniform. I don't know what's going to happen or where it's going to go. It's not something I have any control over."
Emotions are running high on both sides of the debate. According to the New York Post, the Oneida Nation has been behind the push to get the Washington franchise to change its name.
According to FoxNews.com, two Washington D.C. radio stations have decided to pull advertisements that the Oneida Nation paid for in asking Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to change the team's nickname.
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