Dean Michaels
Washington Redskins team owner Daniel Snyder says he would never change the team name many believe is a racial slur, even if they lose an ongoing federal trademark lawsuit.
"We will never change the name of the team. 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," said Snyder.
Amanda Blackhorse, a Navajo and the named plaintiff in the trademark suit, said if she ever had the chance, she'd ask Snyder if he would dare to call her a redskin to her face.
"I think the best way is to just not comment on that type of stuff," Snyder replied. "I don't know her."
Critics say the term is a racial slur because of its origins in bounties placed on the scalps of Native Americans by British settlers.
The director of the National Museum of the American Indians has said the word 'redskin' is equivalent to the 'n-word'.
The Washington City Paper substitutes the name "Pigskins," and DCist.com announced in February that it would avoid using the name in print. The Kansas City Star also has a policy against printing "Redskins."
The Washington Redskins will remain the Washington Redskins as long as Dan Snyder owns the team. Despite recent calls for a change, Snyder insists that the franchise will retain its controversial name
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Team Owner Says Redskins Name to Remain the Same