Whether or not it was a ploy, it was informative for the Washington Redskins.
The organization, which is creating a national debate over the use of its nickname, took the opportunity at halftime Monday night to honor Navajo code-talkers. The ceremony, and the Redskins, came under fires as critics of the move claimed hypocrisy on the part of the franchise.
As the call for the Washington football team to change its moniker from "Redskins" has grown louder, owner Daniel Snyder decided to recognize the history of the Navajo code talkers by bringing four members of the code talkers onto the field at halftime of Monday night's Washington-San Francisco 49ers game to honor them as part of Native American Heritage month.
Navajo Code Talkers is the name for a select group of Marines in World War II who created an unbreakable code based on their complex Navajo language, USA TODAY Sports reported. The code talkers proved a key element in the success of the American war effort.
"At a time when America's best cryptographers were falling short," the Washington team said on its website, "the Navajo Code Talkers fashioned the most ingenious code in military history."
Washingtonian magazine, however, called it "a publicity stunt more awkward than the Redskins' failure to convert on fourth-and-two.
NBCWashington.com posted tweets of fans' reaction to the ceremony.
From @Camila_Munayki: "(expletive deleted) up VIDEO #Redskins try to justify shameful use of Navajo elders, with footage of Obama and Bush redskins.com/media-gallery/...#ChangeTheName.
@SophieBodden wrote: "Have to say, the #redskins using Navajo WWII veterans as props for 'hey, we love Indians!" is pretty pathetic and shameful #majorfail.
Not all fans' tweets criticized the Redskins.
@Alex_Keck posted "That bit with the Navajo Codetalkers wasn't a forced stunt by the #Redskins. They were honored last week with Congressional Gold Medals."
Snyder already has vowed publicly that he will not change the team's moniker. But in his attempt to win the battle in the court of public perception, he got a sense of what he could be up against in terms of opposition and what steps he might have to make to appease protestors.
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