The NFL franchise formerly known as the Washington Redskins are officially looking for a new name, as the Redskins nickname was dropped earlier this week after nearly 90 years.
The name change comes on the heels of pressure for a switch from the moniker that some found to be racially insensitive, especially during this time of renewed discussion and focus on social and racial justice.
And while there are plenty of people who are happy about the name change, don’t count the son of the original logo designer among them.
The logo was first designed in 1971 by Native American Walter “Blackie” Wetzel to depict a member of the Blackfeet tribe. Wetzel would later go on to be elected president of the National Congress of American Indians.
His son Lance offered his thoughts on the logo switch, saying that it’s hard to see:
“Everyone was pretty upset [about the change]. Everyone understood the name change. We were all on board with that,” Lance Wetzel said. “Once they weren’t going to use the logo, it was hard. It takes away from the Native Americans. When I see that logo, I take pride in it. You look at the depiction of the Redskins logo, and it’s of a true Native American. I always felt it was representing my people. That’s not gone.”
The former logo was a depiction of John “Two Guns” White Calf, who was a Blackfeet chief.
“The Native Americans were forgotten people. That logo, lets people know these people exist,” Wetzel continued. “If it were changed and it removed any derogatory feelings toward any person, then I think it’s a win. I don’t want that logo to be associated in a negative way, ever.”
There are several potential names in the works for the franchise.
– – Quotes via Carly Ortiz-Lytle of The Washington Examiner Link – –
