CBS’ Phil Simms to avoid saying ‘Redskins’ on ‘Thursday Night Football’

Phil Simms said he isn’t taking a stance on the Washington Redskins’ controversial team name, but the CBS analyst doesn’t plan on calling the team by its name during “Thursday Night Football.”

The Redskins play the New York Giants in an NFC East matchup Thursday at FedEx Field, pitting both 1-2 teams against each other on national television.

The Redskins’ team name has been criticized by Native American groups and others as disparaging and offensive, but Washington’s Owner Dan Snyder has refused to budge from his position that the term “Redskins” is not a slur.

Simms, who told the Associated Press of his decision last month, isn’t alone in his decision not to call the Washington team by its official name.

A number of newspapers and other organizations across the country have also decided against using “Redskins,” including the Washington Post editorial board, though the term does appear on in other sections on its website.

The Vikings, who are playing their home games this season and next at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium, have been asked by the school not to use the name when Washington visits on Nov. 2.

The university has also gone as far as to request that the NFL team wear throwback jerseys which don’t have the team name or logo on them for the game.

Additionally, “South Park” lampooned the whole Redskins name situation in an episode Wednesday on Comedy Central.

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme