Bob Costas of NBC Sports waded into the controversy over the
Washington Redskins nickname Sunday night, devoting a commentary to the topic
at halftime of the nationally televised game between the Redskins and the
Dallas Cowboys, according to Fox News.
"Think for a moment about the term 'Redskins' and how
it truly differs from [other team nicknames based on Native American
images]," Costas said. "Ask yourself what the equivalent would be, if
directed [at] African-Americans. Hispanics. Asians. Or members of any other
ethnic group. When considered that way, 'Redskins' can’t possibly honor a
heritage, or a noble character trait, nor can it possibly be considered a
neutral term.
"It is an insult, a slur, no matter now benign the
present-day intent," Costas continued.
The Redskins were playing for the first time since President
Barack Obama told the Associated Press in an interview last weekend that he
would "think about" changing the name if he owned the team. Redskins
owner Daniel Snyder, who has previously vowed never to change the name,
responded by sending a letter to season ticket holders claiming that the name
was "never a label. It was, and continues to be, a badge of honor."
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