Can the Redskins Mann the Falcons?

Manning - The process of taming a raptor.

We came home from a walk on the beach to find the Redskins/Falcon game well underway, 7-3 Redskins with 6 minutes or so left in the second quarter.

To Be Continued. . .

Now on with the Redskins Naming Controversy

Redskins’ name change: point counter-point Point:

. . . Unlike Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians, the logo of the Redskins is not offensive, and I do not think it needs to be changed.  As for the team name, I do not think they should change it either.

The word Redskins is a derogatory term. I won’t argue that. It’s clearly offensive, but simply changing the name will not affect how poorly the Native Americans have been treated in the past and how poorly they are still being treated to this day.

A name change would allow people to view the issue as being resolved when this is far from the truth. The Native Americans are a underrepresented  group in the United States and the issue of a name change allows them to be in the spotlight a little bit longer and hopefully their time in the national spotlight will illuminate issues that still need to be addressed.

Another reason the Redskins should not bother with a name change is simple:  money. The Redskins’ name and logo has a high monetary value attached to it. The fact that the team lost the trademarks for the logo and the team name is a travesty that will undoubtedly hurt their brand. . . 

 Counterpoint:

. . .The argument thrown around that the Redskins name change wouldn’t cause any change within our society is being proved wrong every single day.

The NFL has numerous campaigns like “Say No More,” a domestic violence and sexual assault awareness campaign or, a more recent example, Pink Ribbon Days for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Though the direct effects that these campaigns have had on either issue probably can be argued, the fact that the NFL brand associates itself with a cause brings it some sort of traction: traction that starts a conversation, brings an issue into light, makes our society a little more comfortable talking about it and hopefully bringing about some sort of positive change.

Now, if the NFL can increase awareness of issues in our society such as domestic violence and sexual assault, why not stand up to racism, too?

Of course, with that mindset, it would be nearly impossible to expect the NFL to fix all the world’s problems. That is not necessarily what I am imploring. Rather, if a widely popular group, such as the NFL, can make a change in a flawed part of our society that they are currently emphasizing with the Washington Redskins, why not make a change? . . .

Donald Trump doesn’t think the Redskins should change their name

“Honestly, I don’t think they should change the name, unless the owner wanted to,” Trump told the New York Times’ Alan Rappeport.

According to Rappeport, Trump said the Redskins name debate was another example of unnecessary political correctness.

“I know Indians that are extremely proud of that name,” Trump said. “They think it’s a positive.”

Honestly, I don't care what Donald Trump thinks.

Oh, and the Falcons fail a field goal attempt at the end of the first half. Still 7-3 Redskins.

GOP candidates weigh in on Redskins’ name

Republican presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Jeb
Bush have weighed in on the Washington Redskins’ name controversy, saying the team shouldn’t change the name.

“I don’t find it offensive,” Bush told SiriusXM’s “The Arena.” “Native American tribes generally don’t find it offensive.”
.. .
During his SiriusXM interview, Bush recalled a similar incident in Florida during his time as governor. Controversy surrounded the name of Florida State University’s football team — the Seminoles — until the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Nation of Oklahoma endorsed the nickname.

“It’s a sport for crying out loud,” Bush exclaimed about the Redskins’ issues. “It’s a football team. Washington has a huge fan base. I’m missing something, I guess.”

Yes, it's important to remember, only a few malcontents are seeking a name change. If they get it they'll move right on to an even more trivial matter.

Media Launch Hissy Fit Blitz After Trump's Support of Redskins Name 

According to the Daily Mail:

“Trump on Monday told The New York Times that he disagreed with calls for the removal and retirement of the team name, as the former Florida governor (Jeb Bush) had said last week on a new SiriusXM show intended to combine sports with politics.
Trump said any controversy over the team name was simply an issue of political correctness run amok.
'I know Indians that are extremely proud of that name. They think it’s a positive.'”

The Daily Mail, unable to help themselves, apparently offered this after Trump’s comments:

“Actually, the National Congress of American Indians, which bills itself as the “oldest, largest and most representative” Native American organization, has been trying to get the Redskins to change the name since 1968, arguing the name is associated with racism and genocide.”

Well…I mean…if they bill themselves as the “oldest, largest, and most representative,” then it must be true. It would be really awesome if the Daily Mail could list for us the stances of the National Congress of American Indians on any other Indian issue. But of course, that would require the media caring about an Indian issue, other than the Redskins, and they clearly do not.

At 11 minutes left in the third quarter, the Falcons miss a long field goal: Still 7-3 Redskins.

With two minutes left in the third quarter, Ryan finally makes a Falcon field goal: 7-6  Redskins.

Falcons, at the 3 yard line fumble the ball across the end zone and recover it for 6 points. They attempt the 2 point play and fail, 7-12 Falcons.

Redskins get a long way down the field on a pass interference call, and make the TD on a run. They try the 2 point conversion and fail. 13-12 Redskins.

Vreeland intercepts a pass for the Redskins with 5 minutes left. Redskins working the clock at the 6 yard line.

2:42 left, and the Redskins lose yardage on a pass play. Redskins attempt field goal. It's good 16-12 Redskins.

Falcons drive the length of the field, score a TD with 51 seconds left. Score 16-18.

TD reversed in review! 16-12!

Falcons score a TD on a Freeman run, back to 16-18. Kick is good 16-19. Redskins have 24 seconds to tie or win.

Redskin down the field to 5 seconds, to attempt a 52 yard field goal to tie the game. It's good. Game is going into overtime. 19-19.

In overtime, Cousins threw it away to Alford of the Falcons, who ran it in for a TD. Final score Falcons 25-19. Redskins drop to 2-3 for the season: