Matthew McConaughey Wants Redskins To Keep Name

By Ted Schwerzler | Oct 21, 2014

Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detail view of the Washington Redskins logo during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

The Washington Redskins have been a polarizing story in the NFL this season, all because of their name. Matthew McConaughey is taking a stand against it.

Matthew McConaughey is one of the greatest actors of the current generation. Now I understand that is complete opinion, but The Lincoln Lawyer, Mud, and Dallas Buyer’s Club are some of the best movies I have ever seen. Recently the actor was interviewed by GQ, and he shared some of his NFL insights.

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Despite being from Texas, McConaughey became a Redskins fan because of his affinity for westerns and his love of food. Explaining his fandom he said:

"First: 4 years old, watching Westerns, I always rooted for the Indians. Second, my favorite food was hamburgers. The Redskins had a linebacker named Chris Hanburger."

Then, GQ asked what McConaughey thought about the franchise being asked to change its name, he said:

"Man, it’s twofold. What interests me is how quickly it got pushed into the social consciousness. We were all fine with it since the 1930s, and all of a sudden we go, “No, gotta change it”? It seems like when the first levee breaks, everybody gets on board. I know a lot of Native Americans don’t have a problem with it, but they’re not going to say, “No, we really want the name.” That’s not how they’re going to use their pulpit."

Matthew McConaughey gets it, and unfortunately the court of public opinion is going to rule on yet another matter that it has no business in. The Washington Redskins name was never put in place to be a derogatory moniker, and society new that for decades. Unfortunately because of the amount of activist groups, and people looking to rock the boat, that doesn’t happen anymore.

I have grown up listening to North Dakota be chastised every five years or so about being called the Fighting Sioux. The debate is brought up, the change seems imminent, and then it goes away. This needs to go away. NFL Commissioner Goodell loves the spotlight and putting the focus on him, take a stance and let’s move one from this.

Radio stations and announcers calling attention to the team by saying they won’t use the name are the ones who come across as ignorant. For years you’ve gone along with it, but now you’ve decided it’s something that needs the moral high ground?

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