A Famous Washington Sports Team to Change Its Name
2020-07-14
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1The professional American football team in Washington, D.C. announced Monday it will retire the name "Redskins" and the mascot of a Native American.
2The team has not selected a new name.
3But it dropped the name, given to the team since 1933, after years of protests.
4Critics say the name is offensive to Native Americans.
5Ray Halbritter is leading the campaign against the offensive name.
6He praised the National Football League (NFL) and the team's owner, Dan Snyder.
7He said, "I know that's not an easy thing to do, but it was the right thing to do."
8The announcement comes as major sponsors have asked the team to change its name.
9One of those sponsors is FedEx.
10The shipping company paid for its name to be used in connection with the team's stadium, which is in Landover, Maryland.
11The company paid $205 million in 1999 for the right to name the stadium.
12In addition, the sports company Nike and other companies say they have withdrawn products linked to the team.
13The move could cost the team millions of dollars.
14Other companies requesting a change in the team's name include food company PepsiCo and Bank of America.
15In addition, the Associated Press reported that 15 Native American leaders and organizations wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last week.
16They demanded that the team immediately end the use of the name, Redskins.
17The groups and individuals said they expect the NFL to become involved in a "meaningful reconciliation process."
18The Native American movement leaders, tribes and organizations said they want the sports organization to repair years of, what they called, "emotional violence" and other harms that the "team name has caused to Native Peoples."
19The AP says the letter was sent on the same day that President Donald Trump tweeted about two sports teams with Native American mascots.
20Trump said the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Indians baseball team "look like they are going to be changing their names in order to be politically correct."
21The Washington team is among the oldest professional football teams in the United States having been in operation since the 1930s.
22A spirited debate over the name "Redskins" has gone on for many years.
23Team owner Dan Snyder has resisted changing the name since he bought the team in 1999.
24Among professional sports teams, the Cleveland Indians removed the Chief Wahoo image from their official uniform after the 2018 season.
25Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves and the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks have said they have no plans to change their names.
26Supporters of the change, however, would like to see all Native American names, mascots and image out of sports.
27"Our fight continues," Crystal Echo Hawk said.
28She noted that her group, IllumiNative, wanted all names, mascots and images of Native Americans removed from professional, collegiate and other school sports.
29Sports teams that have removed Native American mascots have mainly been linked to universities and colleges.
30Stanford University in California says it officially changed its mascot from the "Indian" to the "Cardinal" in 1972.
31More recently, the University of Illinois removed Chief Illiniwek as its official mascot in 2007 although its sports teams are still called the Fighting Illini.
32The word Illini is meant to describe Native American people and is tied to the name of the state of Illinois.
33Halbritter said it was important to note some names are not offensive.
34He pointed out that Florida State University spoke with the Seminole tribe about its name.
35"I think it's striking that the NFL and other owners of other sports teams don't have a conversation with Native America on these names," Halbritter said.
36"It's about respect, and I don't understand why they just don't have a conversation with the affected people."
37I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1The professional American football team in Washington, D.C. announced Monday it will retire the name "Redskins" and the mascot of a Native American. 2The team has not selected a new name. But it dropped the name, given to the team since 1933, after years of protests. Critics say the name is offensive to Native Americans. 3Ray Halbritter is leading the campaign against the offensive name. He praised the National Football League (NFL) and the team's owner, Dan Snyder. He said, "I know that's not an easy thing to do, but it was the right thing to do." 4The announcement comes as major sponsors have asked the team to change its name. One of those sponsors is FedEx. The shipping company paid for its name to be used in connection with the team's stadium, which is in Landover, Maryland. 5The company paid $205 million in 1999 for the right to name the stadium. In addition, the sports company Nike and other companies say they have withdrawn products linked to the team. The move could cost the team millions of dollars. Other companies requesting a change in the team's name include food company PepsiCo and Bank of America. 6In addition, the Associated Press reported that 15 Native American leaders and organizations wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last week. They demanded that the team immediately end the use of the name, Redskins. 7The groups and individuals said they expect the NFL to become involved in a "meaningful reconciliation process." The Native American movement leaders, tribes and organizations said they want the sports organization to repair years of, what they called, "emotional violence" and other harms that the "team name has caused to Native Peoples." 8The AP says the letter was sent on the same day that President Donald Trump tweeted about two sports teams with Native American mascots. Trump said the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Indians baseball team "look like they are going to be changing their names in order to be politically correct." 9The Washington team is among the oldest professional football teams in the United States having been in operation since the 1930s. 10A spirited debate over the name "Redskins" has gone on for many years. Team owner Dan Snyder has resisted changing the name since he bought the team in 1999. 11Among professional sports teams, the Cleveland Indians removed the Chief Wahoo image from their official uniform after the 2018 season. Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves and the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks have said they have no plans to change their names. 12Supporters of the change, however, would like to see all Native American names, mascots and image out of sports. "Our fight continues," Crystal Echo Hawk said. She noted that her group, IllumiNative, wanted all names, mascots and images of Native Americans removed from professional, collegiate and other school sports. 13Sports teams that have removed Native American mascots have mainly been linked to universities and colleges. Stanford University in California says it officially changed its mascot from the "Indian" to the "Cardinal" in 1972. 14More recently, the University of Illinois removed Chief Illiniwek as its official mascot in 2007 although its sports teams are still called the Fighting Illini. The word Illini is meant to describe Native American people and is tied to the name of the state of Illinois. 15Halbritter said it was important to note some names are not offensive. He pointed out that Florida State University spoke with the Seminole tribe about its name. 16"I think it's striking that the NFL and other owners of other sports teams don't have a conversation with Native America on these names," Halbritter said. "It's about respect, and I don't understand why they just don't have a conversation with the affected people." 17I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 18The Associated Press reported this story. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. 19________________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21sponsor -n. a person or group that pays money in return for the right to advertise during an event or activity 22reconciliation -n. the act or process of getting two groups to become friendly after a disagreement or argument 23mascot -n. a person, animal or object that represents an organization, such as a sports team or school, and that is meant to bring good luck 24uniform -n. special clothing that is worn by all members of an organization such as an armed service, police, profession or sports team