U.S. lawmakers urge NFL’s Redskins to stop using ‘offensive’ team name

ALBANY, N.Y. – The NFL should pressure the Washington Redskins to change its name, a bipartisan group of New York lawmakers said Tuesday.

The group plans to introduce a resolution denouncing the football team’s use of the word “redskin” and urging team owner Daniel Snyder to pick a new name. If the resolution passes, New York lawmakers would join a growing list of those criticizing the team’s name, including members of Congress from both parties.

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“We shouldn’t have to put forth this resolution,” said Democratic Assemblyman Keith Wright. “The word is absolutely offensive to the Native American community and beyond.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We shouldn't have to put forth this resolution," said Democratic Assemblyman Keith Wright. "The word is absolutely offensive to the Native American community and beyond."

A New York tribe – the Oneida Indian Nation – has been leading a campaign against the name. Ray Halbritter, an Oneida representative, said the “R word” denigrates Native Americans, who he noted have higher incidences of suicide and a lower life expectancy than other Americans.

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With the resolution, he said, “New York is making a statement that it wants to stand on the right side of history.”

Snyder has defended the team’s name, calling it a “badge of honour.”