"Real Change" for Washington? "Redskins" No Way!

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On Monday, November 3rd, 2008, the eve of the presidential election, Chris Berman from ESPN asked both presidential candidates to address one issue "for change" regarding sports in America.

The interview took place during halftime of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Washington Redskins game on Monday Night Football.

Obama replied that he would like to see college football implement a playoff system for a national champion.

McCain offered up a similarly safe response by stating that he would expect more policing and monitoring of drug use in sports.

That being said, I'd like to offer up my opinion:

Start by changing the name of the racially insensitive, Washington Redskins.

The name "Redskins" gets a double whammy for:

1) Being totally insensitive to American Indians, and

2) It's the name of the football team in the city that houses our federal government.

Come on folks, give me a break!

Daniel Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, if you ever read this article, please take note.

The Washington Redskins have bad karma for a reason.

It sits on the head of every Washington Redskins football player.

Mr. Snyder, the monumental "face" of America will change right in front of our eyes on January 11, 2008 when President-elect, Barack Obama takes the reigns of this country.

A "face" that's embodied in the talents of your starting quarterback, Jason Campbell.

Is it any wonder that a Superbowl won by the Redskins came by way of an exceptional African-American quarterback by the name of Doug Williams?

That's right! Doug Williams led the Redskins in Superbowl XXII to victory on January 31, 1988 by beating John Elway's Denver Broncos.

Williams earned MVP honors in that game completing 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards, and four touchdown passes, arguably the best quarterback performance in Superbowl history.

Mr. Snyder, why not make some real change with your franchise instead of just spending millions of dollars trying to fix a problem that you just won't allow yourself to see?

Seize the moment, the limelight, the world stage, something I am sure you would not mind at all!

Bad karma can't be fixed by throwing money at it.

Bad karma can only be fixed by realizing that a wrong has been committed, and doing something about it!

We as a country have changed. We expect more from ourselves and each other. "WE the people" have evolved, hopefully.

That includes respecting each others identity.

Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians take note. Your'e next.

Daniel Snyder, it's time for you to put your millions aside and make a bold and "brave" statement for your country.

Show America and the rest of the world that change really has come to America.

Show the rest of the world that "WE the people," put people first in this country, instead of personal financial gain.

I was going to get into the various litigation about the use of the name "Redskin" and surveys that "confirm" that American Indians do not seem to mind the use of the term "Redskin."

However, all that talk gets away from the core issue.

Can there be any good argument that legitimizes, rationalizes, and endorses the use of SKIN COLOR for a team's nickname, especially in our nations capital?

No way!

As we New Yorkers sometimes say, fuugggggeeetttaaabouuutiitt!

"Ok, Why not the Blackskins, Whiteskins, GoldenBrownskins, or Yellowskins?"

Interesting note: If one takes the Redskins last home game record since 1936 when the team was still in Boston and called the Boston Redskins, one has a 94.444% chance of predicting the next president. Let me explain.

The Boston Redskins beat the Chicago Bears in 1936 and incumbent President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was re-elected.

Fast forward to 2008.

The Steelers beat the Redskins on Monday Night, and Barack Obama became president-elect.

Redskins lose? New party. Redskins win? Same party.

This has happened every single election, not withstanding the 2004 election when W. got re-elected.

Go figure.

That tallies to a 17-1 record for the Redskins since 1936. Not bad odds.

Now it's time to make those odds go to work for America.

Daniel Snyder, please seize this moment in history.

Seize this moment for your team, your city, and your fans.

Your players will appreciate it too!

I will even go as far to suggest a new name for the Redskins.

Let's change our thinking about this.

The name, "Washington" sounds kind of long and boring to be quite honest.

Why not think outside the box and use "DC" instead?

"DC" sounds kind of cool and edgy. And similarly to the Tennessee Titans, who recently changed their name from "Oilers," let's use a name that symbolizes power, the world beyond, an overall awareness.

What about the, DC Comets? Now there's a name!

Shameless plug time: "President-elect Obama, if you read this article and like this idea, please make a guest appearance on my daily sports pod-cast, "The Alan Show, Morning Sports Bite," Monday -Friday, 9AM EST! My email address is: aplupiani@gmail.com.

Mr. President-elect Obama, congratulations on your presidential election victory, and all the best in your first term as 44th President of the United States of America!

Let's make some more REAL change for this country and the world at large!