Washington Redskins Racist Name: Former Owner’s Granddaughter Criticizes Team Name
Jordan Wright, the granddaughter of former Washington Redskins owner George Preston Marshall, expressed support to those who are calling for the team to change its controversial name.
Wright has been distancing herself from the issue surrounding the team's name, knowing that her grandfather was the one who gave the team its monicker after bringing the franchise to Washington in 1937.
But in an interview with the Washington Post, Wright said that while she is aware of the historical significance of the team's name, she believes that the monicker needs to be shelved to show respect.
"It's about respect," Wright said. "If even one person tells you that name, that word you used, offends them, then that's enough. That should be enough."
Wright added that she is unsure whether her grandfather was aware about the opposition to the team monicker. Reports said that the public backlash against Redskins' name started in the 1970s, and Marshall suffered a stroke in 1963 and died in 1969.
"I think people of his social status back then had no idea they were running around harming people," said Wright, who also admitted that she is unaware about the racist nature of the team's name until the 1980s. "Then I started to hear more. Once your eyes and ears are open to these things, it's the truth; you can't hide anymore."
Native American leaders, former NFL players, religious organizations, sports broadcaster, and even U.S. President Barack Obama have expressed support to the growing call for a name change.
Fifty U.S. senators previously sent a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in May to ask for action against the Redskins, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office also cancelled the Redskins' registered trademarks in June, but the team remained firm on their stance, insisting that they see nothing wrong with their team name.
Current Redskins team owner Daniel Snyder insisted that they are not in favor of changing the team's name to preserve its rich history, but Wright pointed out that the team's history can still be kept even if a new monicker will be used in the next NFL season.
"People act very surprised when they hear me talk about this," Wright said. "They say, 'You really feel that way? But it's history?' Well the team is not going away. All of their stats and all of their games are still there."
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