Redskins GM defends nickname, says no change planned
Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said Thursday the team is not considering changing its nickname and he doesn't find it offensive.
"There's nothing that we feel that is offensive, and we're proud of our history," Allen told the media during a groundbreaking ceremony for the team's new training facility in Richmond, Va. "To suggest that players and coaches and fans are thinking any other way, it doesn't make sense."
The team's iconic Indianhead logo and nickname have come under fire again in recent weeks. The mayor of Washington D.C. said if the team wanted to move back to a stadium in the city they would have to change their nickname. And a number of Native American groups have renewed protests against the nickname.
"I'm proud to be the general manager of the Washington Redskins," Allen said. "We represent an iconic sports franchise that's 81 years old, that involves millions of fans worldwide, that has thousands of alumni. It's ludicrous to think in any way that we're trying to upset anybody."
A hearing is scheduled next month in a lawsuit that will try to drop the nickname's federal trademark protection.
