By Jeff Orvis
Just when it seems like folks in this
country are ready to overdose on a specific national crisis, somebody
comes along to create a diversion which soon becomes the latest
national crisis. We are still engaged in a terrible war on terror and
all the accompanying things that go with it, from the cost of our
longest war in the Middle East, to the continuing cost in dollars and
suffering of our returning veterans. Recently, we have become focused
on a real possibility that we could be infected with a terrible
disease which has already killed thousands in Africa.
Then along comes a diversion sweeping
the country. Actually, this diversion happened before the disease
scare, but well after the start of our recent war. It's Daniel Snyder
and his Washington football team and the NFL.
As near as I can figure, after decades
of living with the Washington Redskins, somebody woke up one morning
and decided that the name was demeaning to our brothers and sisters
that were here before our ancestors set foot on the eastern seashore.
As is often the case, when somebody needs a cause to believe in, a
cause was born. Before long, it swept the country. NFL broadcasters
vowed not to use the team's nickname when they covered their games.
Phone lines lit up all over the country as listeners called into the
sports shows to voice their opinion.
Snyder swore he would never change his
team's name. The NFL hasn't made a final decision. But the league is
nothing if it isn't about profit. Concerned parties will surely
display public righteous indignation and will eventually change it.
After all, just think of the millions of pieces of licensed
merchandise with the Redskin logo which would be exchanged for the
new team's logo.
The internet is a great place to do
research on just about any topic. A quick check indicates that 69
high schools in this country share the “Redskin” nickname.
Another site claims that more than 500 high schools have nicknames
related to Native Americans, including Chiefs, Indians and even a few
Injuns.
It is interesting that another
internet check indicates that there are no Native Americans on any
NFL roster at this time. If the league wanted to be politically
correct, maybe Washington should change its name to the Washington
African Americans. In fact, every team probably should, since the NFL
says that more than 60 percent of the players are that race.
If that idea fails, at least
Washington might consider a change to a name more fitting for a team
representing the nation's capitol. There are currently eight pro
sports teams that claim that city as their own. Besides the football
team, we have the Nationals (baseball), Wizards (NBA), Mystics
(WNBA), DC United (soccer), Freedom (women's soccer), Kastles
(tennis) and DC Brawlers (grid, a sport I've never heard of).
It's interesting that the Wizards were
known as the “Bullets” for a lot of years. Then when Washington
became the murder capital of the country a few years back, the team
owners decided a name change would be appropriate.
So what could we name the Redskins? We
should have something that reflects the style of the area. So how
about the Stalematers? Maybe the Lobbyists, or Debaters or if you
want a singular name, how about the Filibuster?
Incidentally, our Plainsmen here in
Belle Plaine share their nickname with just seven other high schools
in this country: Enid, OK, Vancouver, WA Evergreen, Grant, NE,
Laramie, WY, Lubbock Monterey, TX, Oakley, KS and Shenendehowa in
Clifton Park, NY. That's quite amazing when you consider the
thousands of high schools in this country. Still, not quite as unique
as the Fightin' Planets of Mars Area, PA or the Rosco, TX Plowboys.
So, should the Redskins be forced to
change their name? Again I wonder how many people are truly offended
with that name and if there is a huge outpouring calling for a
change, where were these people decades ago? But if it turns out that
this is a secret conspiracy cooked up by club officials and the NFL
for monetary gain in a change, maybe the changes should really be
made in ownership and in the NFL corporate offices, as if they don't
have enough problems already!
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