Does his use of the name “Redskins” require Mr. Daniel Snyder, owner of the Washington franchise, to be sent to the same sensitivity training course as Riley Cooper, the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver in hot water for using a racial slur?
Why is Riley Cooper in danger of losing his career yet Mr. Snyder able to continue to use a mascot name that many consider an equally insulting slur?
Perhaps this is an old story, the rich and powerful simply do not have to abide by the rules that most of us live by. But there is a lesson, here, and an opportunity for the NFL and Mr. Snyder, because the rich and powerful can also influence society for the better.
John Harbaugh, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, recently took his team to Gettysburg to absorb some of the lessons of that historic battle. Perhaps the rest of the NFL, but particularly the Washington “Redskins” ownership, should consider a visit to see the movie 42, the tribute to Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey. The current furor over Riley Cooper’s actions presents issues to the NFL that are similar, although smaller in scale, to those faced by Major League Baseball in 1947.
The Riley Cooper issue is nothing if not about the connection between words, or one word, and racial bigotry. Is this not the same issue brought on by the use of the name “Redskins” by the Washington organization?
Look at the abuse Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron faced? Some of the abuse was in the form of hateful actions, to be sure, but the majority of the abuse consisted of hateful words. How can the NFL not recognize the hypocrisy of penalizing Cooper with suspension and sensitivity training but ignoring the “Redskin” moniker?
One of the great legal challenges in US jurisprudence, Brown v Board of Education, argued, in part, that the impact of segregation is more forceful when it has the sanction of law. When society’s bedrock organizations authorize prejudicial behavior, in other words, a constitutional issue arises.
The NFL is not yet on an equal footing with the US Supreme Court, although many treat football as a religion in the United States. That said, the NFL possesses a powerful reach into the American conscious, particularly in its influences over young men. What an opportunity to make a historic statement against institutionally sanctioned prejudice.
Professional sports franchises have had many owners over the years but very few, if any, obtained the fame and honor of Branch Rickey. Perhaps Mr. Goodell and Mr. Snyder might consider taking a similar path as Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey in 42. The Riley Cooper incident has presented the NFL with a golden opportunity to make a bold statement on racial bigotry.
Is it not time to change the name of the Washington franchise?
Written by Rob Ward
