The debate around the Washington Redskins controversial name isn’t dying down anytime soon, as much as the team would like it too. Recently, 50 United States Senators asked the NFL to formally endorse a name change for the team. The NFL responded by using the “name has always been to present a strong, positive and respectful image” line.
Well now a prominent NFL figure is speaking out against the name, former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Holmgren.
“Absolutely,” Holmgren told Dave “Softy” Mahler of KJR radio, via the Washington Post. “Because of what it signifies and what it means to so many people. I’m not talking football fans; I’m talking about Native Americans and all that. Yeah. Just change the name. Big deal. Change the name.”
“Have you always thought this, or is it maybe just recently that you kind of came to that conclusion, that opinion?” Mahler said.
“No, I think I’ve always felt that way,” Holmgren said. “You know, I’m an old history teacher. And I think if you read enough of that stuff and you see how people were treated, I think it’s the right thing to do. Now, apparently 50 Senators also agree with me.”
Holmgren also said that politicians might not be able to turn the heat up enough on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to get the name changed, he thinks the owners could be a more persuasive party in those terms because they pay his salary. He does throw out a line about Congress threatening the league’s broadcast antitrust exemption to get their attention and persuade a change.