Despite increasing pressure from Washington D.C. politicians, Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is standing tall in the face of harsh criticism and defending his franchise's moniker.
Ten Washington congressmen sent Snyder an official letter urging him to consider changing the team's name out of respect for what many feel is a derogatory connotation. In the letter, the politicians wrote:
"Native Americans throughout the country consider the 'R-word' a racial, derogatory slur akin to the 'N-word' among African Americans or the 'W-word' among Latinos. Such offensive epithets would no doubt draw wide-spread disapproval among the NFL's fan base. Yet the national coverage of Washington's NFL football team profits from a term that is equally disparaging to Native Americans."
These same legislators have also introduced a bill that, if successfully passed, would strip Snyder of the Redskins trademark. According to the offended lawmakers, a loss of trademark would have a tremendous impact on the Redskins organization, as well as the NFL in total.
In the face of all the backlash, Snyder remains unmoved, telling USA Today, "We will never change the name of the team," Snyder told USA TODAY Sports this week. "As a lifelong Redskins fan, and I think that the Redskins fans understand the great tradition and what it's all about and what it means, so we feel pretty fortunate to be just working on next season."
When he was asked if he would change the name following a trademark loss, Snyder was even more adamant. We'll never change the name," he said. "It's that simple. NEVER - you can use caps."
An Associated Press poll showed that 79 of Americans agree that the Redskins should keep their name. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell weighed in on the issue recently, saying, "Growing up in Washington, I do understand the affinity for that name with the fans," Goodell said. "I also understand the other side of that. I don't think anybody wants to offend anybody. But this has been discussed over a long period of time. I think Dan Snyder and the organization have made it very clear that they are proud of that name and that heritage, and I think the fans are, too."
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