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Hail to the Washington Football Team

January 12, 2016

Sports commentators, politicians, and journalists alike have devoted themselves to a single, righteous cause: not saying the word "Redskins."

To avoid calling the Washington Redskins the Washington Redskins, they have made up euphemisms ranging from "the Washington team" to "the Washington team from the D.C. area."

NBC sportscaster Bob Costas came out against the team name in October 2013, when he called on viewers to reconsider the name—though he noted correctly that "a majority of Native Americans say they are not offended" by it.

"Washington playing Dallas here tonight, it seems like an appropriate time to acknowledge the ongoing controversy about the name Redskins," Costas said, using the term one last time before presumably retiring it from his vocabulary.

Commentator Peter King also has refused to use the name, instead calling the Redskins "Washington."

In September 2014, CBS sports commentator Phil Simms said he would not call the team by its name, though he accidentally said "Redskins" during one broadcast.

NFL announcer Greg Gumbel boasted in 2014 that he hadn’t used the term in three years.

"I just didn’t feel the need to call a news conference and announce it. Just my personal choice," Gumbel said.

Politicians and journalists have also showed solidarity with the cause.

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser prefers the term "Washington football team."

Washington Post reporter Jonathan Capehart said the name was "an abomination" that should be changed, although he admitted he doesn’t pay attention to football.

Published under: Football