Washington Redskin's New Name?

[Econoline]

I agree. At some point in the future (who knows when?) anything "red"—or "brown" or "yellow" or "black" or "white"—or anything that might possibly be construed as ethnic or racial might become unacceptable. Best to stick with animals or mythical beasts or abstract nouns. Anyone who is alive now who thinks they can predict what will be considered "offensive" a generation from now is probably wrong.

[Bicycle Bill]

Geometric shapes and colors.  The Pittsburgh Polygons, anyone?
But whatever your do, make sure those triangles aren't pink, and the stars are five-pointed (not six) and not inverted.

-"BB"-

[Gob]

How about "The Fore Skins"?

Leading from the front...

[liberty]

I agree. At some point in the future (who knows when?) anything "red"—or "brown" or "yellow" or "black" or "white"—or anything that might possibly be construed as ethnic or racial might become unacceptable. Best to stick with animals or mythical beasts or abstract nouns. Anyone who is alive now who thinks they can predict what will be considered "offensive" a generation from now is probably wrong.

I can’t predict tomorrow with any degree of accuracy. All I can do is look into the past and project into the future and there is no assurance that will work out. But, I do think it is stupid not to try to avoid trouble in the future. That is something that Americans are generally not good at; I once heard it said Americans are reactive people, not proactive people. Agree with that and someday that way of thinking will get us.

[Econoline]

How about "The Fore Skins"?

Leading from the front...

Nope. Might be construed as anti-Semitic.

[Big RR]

[Gob]

Econo wins the internet!

[BoSoxGal]

The Washington NFL franchise, formerly known as the Washington Redskins, is officially going to change its name to the Washington Football Team.

The new team name is effective immediately, and it will remain in place "pending adoption of a new team name," the team announced in a statement on Thursday.

Is Snyder taking the piss?

[ex-khobar Andy]

I came here to post exactly that. I wonder how much they spent on PR guys and image consultants and branding engineers to come up with that.

[Joe Guy]

They should call it the Washington Team Football or WTF for short.

[liberty]

The Washington NFL franchise, formerly known as the Washington Redskins, is officially going to change its name to the Washington Football Team.

The new team name is effective immediately, and it will remain in place "pending adoption of a new team name," the team announced in a statement on Thursday.

Is Snyder taking the piss?

That is some what safe; it is hard to see how something derogator can be made out of that unless George Washington is the mascot. Washington was a slave owner; but, he gave us everything we have. We wouldn’t have a free world today if not for Washington; the left hates him because he was a slave owner. The left has no gratitude or understanding of history. I wouldn’t be surprised if before long they start calling for the destruction of the Washington Monument and the abolishment of the US Constitution.

[MajGenl.Meade]

I think the NFL should sue them for appropriation of the word "football"

[Econoline]

Meade - I would've expected you in particular to suggest that FIFA (rather than the NFL) should sue?

[Gob]

I think they're taking a big risk using "Washington".

[Big RR]

Who is this left of which you speak? Recognizing people as complex individuals and deciding not to honor them because of some beliefs is notthe same as hatred.

And FWIW, I would think Jefferson and the subsequent Democrat republicans are responsible for a lot of what we have (the Bill of Rights, e.g.); not to minimize the contributions of Washington and the Federalists, but they clearly did not "give" us everything (indeed, we have gotten a lot of what we have over the years form a combination of administrations, Congresses, court action, and individual citizen action).

[MajGenl.Meade]

Meade - I would've expected you in particular to suggest that FIFA (rather than the NFL) should sue?

I thought of it but decided that what the Washington Wahoos did last year was even less like American football

[Big RR]

I don't think FIFA has any sort of monopoly on the term "football" which, I understand, predates soccer and originally referred to any sport which was played on foot (i.e. not on horseback) and can refer to any number of games. While you are right, it is difficilt to call the the game Washington plays as American (or NFL) football, but it is played on foot (or often on their backs or stomachs).

[ex-khobar Andy]

I don't think FIFA has any sort of monopoly on the term "football" which, I understand, predates soccer and originally referred to any sport which was played on foot (i.e. not on horseback) and can refer to any number of games.

So tennis = football. Got it.

[Joe Guy]

and ping pong...

[MajGenl.Meade]

Fetch my golf bats