US Patent Office Cancels Washington Redskins Patents

((HT: WJLA-TV))

How's that one for you...???

On the grounds that the Washington Redskins nickname is of a "disparaging manner," the United States Patent Office has decided to pull the team's patent because of the apparent "offensive nature to Native Americans."

Team owner Daniel Snyder has given the NFL office and Commissioner Roger Goodell the "over my dead body" response in changing the team's nickname (though, he doesn't understand that he could have two separate revenue streams if he played his cards right). And, now, the NFL has gone ahead and taken this ingeniously active maneuver.

Here's the early returns
The team can, obviously, appeal- which they may already be doing after the 2-1 decision. And, here's the decision in full for your reading pleasure...

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office decision canceling Redskins trademarks

Anyone want to print up some Redskins t-shirts with some funny sayings to make a mint in the near future...???

Brother J-Dub... the floor is yours...

D.C. Council Strong Suggestion To Redskins, Change Your Name To Redtails

[HT: Washington Post]

Washington Redtails!

If D.C. Council member David Grosso has his way the Washington Redskins would be forced to change their name to "Redtails".

Grosso is preparing to introduce a resolution calling on the Redskins to change to the Redtails.  Grosso is an independent council member and plans to pursue the non-binding resolution because the current name is "a derogatory, racist name".

"It's been a long time that we have had this name associated with Washington, and I think it is time we take a stand and change it." Grosso said.

Grosso's suggestion is to change to the Washington Redtails noting that was the nickname of the Tuskegee Airmen.

“You can still sing the song and everything,” Grosso said.

Sing with me: "Hail to the Redtails....."  I don't think so.

According to Grosso the team could still keep the feather. 

In a bit of irony I'm watching "A Football Life: John Riggins" as I write this.  Just curious what Riggo would feel about this.  I'm sure "WTF" would be used numerous times.

By the way, Cowboys/Redtails doesn't have the same ring to it.

Whenever the issue of Native American nicknames come up I'm always remind of what a prominent member of the Navajo nation told me years ago when I lived out west.  That those nicknames celebrate their heritage and without that recognition the tribes and culture would be slowly be forgotten.