What’s in an offensive nickname?

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An indication of just how far the world has come in relation to race sensitivity is the letter to the NFL by 50 US Senators urging the Washington Redskins to finally change their name to something less racially offensive.

Whether the National Football League and/or one of its most famous franchises ever takes on board mounting criticism over the Redskins moniker remains to be seen, but the very fact that so many in power are taking action over what is considered by many to be an offensive nickname is cause for optimism for human rights campaigners and those who are fighting the war against race discrimination. The NFL runs its own show, plays to its own rules and doesn’t consider the need to listen to outsiders when it comes to the game’s governance or player welfare. Many considered the proposed $765 million settlement in the Federal Court over the NFL’s concussion lawsuit to be not nearly enough. Meanwhile, the NFL - like fellow American sports organisations like the NHL, MLB and the NBA - isn’t a signatory to the WADA drug code.

Granted, news of the senators’ letter comes immediately on the back of the NBA player base demanding that its governing body kick LA Clippers part-owner Donald Sterling out of the game for the offense he caused with his remarks. But the senators have chosen the right time to tell the world about their request to the NFL.

Even if the handwriting of a few important people in power doesn’t do anything to change the minds of the Washington franchise, the senators’ actions are now being talked about all over the world. With enough opposition and brand damage to the Redskins image, Washington’s football team will be called something else before too long …