D.C. councilman to introduce resolution for Redskins name change

Hail to the Redtails?

If a newly elected District of Columbia councilman has his way, that’s what Washington football fans might be singing once the Redskins change their name from a term he and many others consider offensive to Native Americans.

David Grosso, an at-large independent, plans on introducing a resolution that would call on the D.C. area’s NFL team to change a name that is “racist and derogatory,” he says.

The debate isn’t a new one, but it has picked up steam again in recent months with a group of Native Americans launching a court battle to force a name change by denying the Redskins federal trademark protection.

“It’s time to make a change,” Grosso said.

He added a majority of his fellow councilmembers support his resolution, which even suggests an alternative nickname for the team: the Redtails, in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Not to mention the fact that “red-tailed hawks are a big deal in D.C. and in the area,” Grosso said.

Plus, he added, that name would fit right into the team’s current fight song, which is true (the name would even rhyme!) although they should probably go all the way and fix the “braves on the warpath” part. And the team’s color scheme and the tail in the logo would not have to change.

Of course, the resolution would be non-binding; the decision still would be up to the team itself.

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