The Washington Redskins will visit the Minnesota Vikings this season, and if the University of Minnesota has its way, there will be no mention of “Redskins” leading up to or during that game.
The Star Tribune reports that the university — which is hosting the Vikings this season while the team builds a new stadium — aims to keep the Redskins’ name from being used “in promotional and game date materials” during a Nov. 2 game.
The effort is in part being spearheaded by university president Eric Kaler, who wrote a letter to U.S. Rep Betty McCollum. That was a response to a letter from McCollum earlier this summer to Vikings owner Zygi Wilf in which she called on the team to condemn the name, calling it a “hateful slur,” according to the Star Tribune.
The pressure now appears to be on Wilf and the Vikings. According to the report, it’s unclear whether they’ll give in and make the requested changes.
“We take the issue very seriously, but we’re just getting ready for our season and we’ve been very focused on training camp and the preseason, and to be honest, we don’t have a game plan for our Nov. 2 game versus Washington,” Vikings executive vice president of public affairs Lester Bagley told the Star Tribune.
The Redskins also publicly weighed in, once again taking a hard stance in regard to the ongoing controversy.
“We have met with many Native Americans from Minnesota who agree with our position and feel we are using the term correctly and honorably,” Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie told the newspaper.
Photo via Brace Hemmelgarn/USA TODAY Sports Images
