On Wednesday, NBC’s Today show used the exclusive announcement of the new name for the Washington Football Team – formerly the Redskins – on its air to wail about the team’s previous “racist” name and declare that the NFL has “a race problem.” It’s fitting that the announcement took place on NBC given how the ultra-woke network spent years attacking the sports franchise and demanding the name Redskins be banned.
“They’ve been grinding it out on the gridiron for more than 80 years. The Washington Football Team winning three super bowl championships while building one of the NFL’s most dedicated fan bases,” Melvin proclaimed during a taped report leading up to the live announcement at FedEx Field. However, the positivity quickly became a source of vitriol.
The Redskins were the team’s name for almost all that time. That name and the imagery on the team’s uniforms drawing criticism and protests for years among indigenous rights groups. Despite owner Daniel Snyder saying he’d never change the name, The team announced a major change to their plans in July 2020 after pressure from sponsors, legislators, and fans.
Video footage of protestors demanding a change of name and sounbite ran Crystal Echo Hawk, Illuminatives executive Director, ranting about it: “What it really shows is that there’s no longer any excuse for any team across professional sports, collegiate or K-12 to hold on to these Native American mascots and team names.”
As she spoke, images appeared on screen of the left’s likely next targets – the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Braves.
Multiples weren’t mentioned. Washington PostPolls consistently show that most Native Americans are not offended at the Redskins’ name.
After the Washington Commanders name was officially adopted, Melvin turned to Jason Wright, president of Washington Football Team, and asked:
Right now, you are the only black President in the NFL. Let’s talk about that news out of Miami this morning. Coach Flores (ex-coach) is now suing three league teams. Claiming discrimination, claiming racism. Because of its logo and name widely considered racist, we are now in the stadium. Do you think the NFL has a racism problem?
Wright replied in part: “I know that when ownership is fully committed to diversity. When they’re really all in, change can happen very rapidly.”
NBC cheering on the Washington name change during Wednesday’s widely-panned announcement makes perfect sense when one looks at how much the liberal network crusaded for it over the years:
> Bob Costas Huffs at Halftime on NBC: ‘Redskins Can’t Possibly Honor a Heritage…It’s An Insult, A Slur’
> MSNBC Devotes 16 Minutes of Coverage to ‘Indefensible, ‘ ‘Racist’ Redskins ‘Slur’
> NBC Hails Redskins Trademark Being Revoked As ‘A Victory for Native Americans’
> NBC Pushes Redskins Name Change: ‘More Difficult…To Hang On To Their Name’
So the leftist media manufactured a controversy, demanded a name change, and then NBC spiked the ball with Wednesday’s announcement in a bid for ratings. This is what happens to newsrooms when wokism rules.
The lame display on the Today show was brought to viewers by McDonald’s and Citi. This is your chance to fight back against advertisers sponsoring this content.
Below is an excerpt from the February 2, coverage.
8.13 am ET
(…)
CRAIG MELVIN: They’ve been grinding it out on the gridiron for more than 80 years. The Washington Football Team winning three super bowl championships while building one of the NFL’s most dedicated fan bases. Nearly all the time the team played under the Redskins. That name and the imagery on the team’s uniforms drawing criticism and protests for years among indigenous rights groups.
PROTESTERS: No justice, no peace!
MELVIN: Despite owner Daniel Snyder saying he’d never change the name, pressure from fans, lawmakers, and sponsors led the team to announce a change in July 2020.
CRYSTAL ECHO HAAWK [ILLUMINATIVES FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR]: What it really shows is that there’s no longer any excuse for any team across professional sports, collegiate or K-12 to hold on to these Native American mascots and team names.MELVIN: While the team retained its trademark burgundy-gold color, it played under the name Washington Football Team for two years while trying to find a better name.
This change comes at a moment when there have been recent accusations of harassment and sexual assault in the workplace. Congress will be interviewing former employees tomorrow. It has not yet commented on any investigations.
Washington Football Team now hopes to turn the corner by changing its name and appearance.
(…)
8.18 am ET
MELVIN: Jason. While I’m glad to have you here, I would like to discuss a few other matters. I mean, you were brought in 2020, at arguably the most tumultuous time in this organization’s history. There are also sexual harassment claims and allegations about sexual misconduct. Tomorrow will see some former employees being questioned. The workplace was generally deemed toxic. What have you done since you’ve been here to fix that?
JASONWRIGHT [WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM PRESIDENT]: I think the rebrand has been an interesting period because it’s coincided with a time of very rapid, very real and irreversible change in the organization. And it’s from that position of strength now that this diverse and empowered leadership team is united to bring a championship back to the burgundy and gold under the banner of the Washington Commanders.
MELVIN: I was referring to the diversity. You’re the current black president at the NFL. Let’s talk about that news out of Miami this morning. Coach Flores (ex-coach) is now suing three league teams. Claiming discrimination, claiming racism. Part of this new rebrand has us in the stadium because the logo and name are widely seen as racist. Do you think the NFL has a racism problem?
WRIGHT: You know, I don’t like to speak on other people’s business as a principle. Tom Garfinkel (CEO of the Dolphins) is an ally and confidant. It is possible to achieve diversity when the ownership has a full commitment. When they’re really all in, change can happen very rapidly. Owners of the team now have a Latino head coach. They also hired a black general manger and then a black team President. These individuals helped to build the NFL’s most diverse executive management team. So change can happen quickly. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
(…)
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