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  • Mike Ditka on Redskins Name Controversy: ‘It’s So Much Horses**t It’s Incredible’

    ESPN NFL analyst Mike Ditka has chimed in on the Washington Redskins name controversy.

    The legendary coach’s viewpoint isn’t exactly PC, and he could care less.

    In an interview with Mike Richman of the Redskins Historian website, he made it very clear that he believes the name should, under no circumstances, ever be changed. No matter who it might offend.

    Ditka said those offended by the name are “politically correct idiots” and “liberals who complain about everything” and are “silly” and “asinine.”

    Ditka also said the controversy was “stupid,” “appalling” and “horses**t.”

    “It’s so much [crap] it’s incredible,” said Ditka. “We’re going to let the liberals of the world run this world. It was said out of reverence, out of pride to the American Indian. Even though it was called a Redskin, what are you going to call them, a Brownskin? This is so stupid it’s appalling, and I hope that owner keeps fighting for it and never changes it, because the Redskins are part of an American football history, and it should never be anything but the Washington Redskins.”

    Ditka didn’t stop there.

    “It’s all the political correct idiots in America, that’s all it is,” said Ditka. “It’s got nothing to do with anything else. We’re going to change something because we can. Hey listen, I went through it in the 60s, too. I mean, come on. Everybody lined up, did this. It’s fine to protest. That’s your right, if you don’t like it, protest. You have a right to do that, but to change the name, that’s ridiculous. Change the Constitution—we’ve got people trying to do that, too, and they’re doing a pretty good job.”

    Now that we know how Ditka really feels about the Redskins name controversy. What are your thoughts on Ditka’s comments and the controversy?

  • Redskins Name Is Racist; NFL Should Follow NBA’s Lead Says Sen. Harry Reid

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada called on the National Football League to change the name of the Washington Redskins as a response to long-standing charges that the name is racially offensive. This move is linked to the example set by the National Basketball Association in penalizing the team owner of the Los Angeles Clippers.

    Reid, a Democrat, stated that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is using tradition as an excuse to retain his team’s name during a Senate speech on Wednesday. Reid has criticized the Redskins’ name in the past, and urged Snyder to “do what is morally right” by changing it immediately. In March, Reid told The Washington Post that he believes the team’s name will be changed within a three-year period.

    Snyder has not showed any signs of heeding the senator’s advice since he declared to USA TODAY last year that he would “never” change his team’s name – not even if he loses a federal trademark case in court. Moreover, Snyder does not share the senator’s sentiments regarding the offensive nature of his team’s name. Prominent Native American organizations have also expressed their outrage over Snyder’s refusal to acknowledge the racial connotation of the name.

    Reid praised the NBA’s move to impose a lifetime ban and a $2.5 million fine on Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, after he made racist remarks that caused a fury of firestorm since becoming public several days ago. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who issued the penalty, received immense support from other NBA team owners, players, and other individuals connected to the league.

    In his speech, the Nevada senator went on to add that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ought to do something to eliminate this “hateful term” from the league’s vocabulary in order to rid it of “racism and bigotry”.

    NFL team owners have yet to react to Snyder’s stance on the Redskins name.

    Image via Redskins, Twitter

  • Redskins Name: Most People Still Support The Controversial Name And Want It To Stay

    Despite the controversy that has surrounded the name of the Washington Redskins throughout the history of the franchise, it has been stated the most people would support keeping the name the way that it is.

    The name has received plenty of criticism over the years, but NFL commissioner Roger Goodell continues to insist that the name honors Native Americans, and even said that nine out of 10 Native Americans support the name.

    The Redskins name has been in place for many years, and some people simply feel that if it has lasted this long, there is no harm in keeping the name around.

    The name has continued to draw criticism, and made big headlines during the 2013 NFL season when the name Washington Bravehearts started trending in the news, although it was simply a hoax, and the team did not end up changing their name.

    Roger Goodell made a statement recently regarding the Redskins name, and said “The Washington Redskins name has … from its origin represented a positive meaning distinct from any disparagement that could be viewed in some other context. For the team’s million of fans and customers, who represent one of America’s most ethnically and geographically diverse fan bases, the name is a unifying force that stands for strength, courage, pride and respect.”

    In addition to the controversy that has surrounded the team’s name over the years, the team completely fell apart over the past season, and Mike Shanahan was fired as a result, with his son Kyle Shanahan, who serves as an assistant coach, may be leaving the coaching staff too.

    The team lost their franchise quarterback to injury during last year’s playoffs, and he struggled to perform over the 2013 season, which was a large factor to why they only won a few games all season.

    Whether or not a change to the Redskins name would be able to help the franchise in any way, or the morale of the fans is uncertain, but they certainly need something to boost the team after such a disappointing season in 2013.

    Image via Facebook