Fansided

Mayor of D.C. Wants Washington Redskins to Change Their ‘Controversial’ Nickname

By Josh Sanchez

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Dec 23, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins helmets along the sidelines prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins helmets along the sidelines prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

It seems that this story resurfaces every few years. The Washington Redskins have a controversial nickname and there is once again a call for it to be changed.

The mayor of Washington D.C., Vincent Gray, says that he wants to explore the possibility of bringing the Redskins back to the nation’s capital, but he believes the Redskins nickname could hurt chances of a move happening because of the name being viewed as a racial slur.

“I think that if they get serious with the team coming back to Washington, there’s no doubt there’s going to have to be a discussion about that, and of course the team is going to have to work with us around that issue,” Gray said, according to the Washington Post. “I think it has become a lightning rod, and I would be love to be able to sit down with the team and see if a change should be made.”

The whole notion just seems silly.

Washington has held the nickname since they moved to Fenway Park in 1933. It has a historic meaning to the franchise and has long been a part of the National Football League.

The belief that the Redskins name is divisive appears to be over exhaggerated, as well. I have never seen an argument break out over whether or not the ‘Skins name is politically incorrect.

Let it be.

If the mayor of D.C. wants the Redskins to move back into the city, then make it happen. Don’t think of a poor excuse to slow down the process.